CHRISTMAS seems to come earlier every year but not normally right in the middle of summer!

Before August even arrives, Yuletide cheer is rolling at The Crown and Sandys Hotel in Ombersley with a Christmas festivity preview evening.

Rachael Compton, who is operations manager for the hotel, said she hoped the festive cheer would be a winner.

"We were showing our new bedrooms anyway and so it seemed a good idea to combine that with the Christmas preview," she said.

She added that thinking about Christmas festivities in the summer holidays may seem odd to some, but for those in the hospitality business, it was standard practice.

"In catering terms, it's not really that early. Businesses in particular book their Christmas staff parties well in advance. We've already had Christmas bookings and if you don't plan early and wait until the autumn, everywhere will be fully booked."

For all those wanting to be well prepared for the festive season, a Christmas preview buffet lunch was due to take place at the Crown and Sandys today at 12.30pm.