Catherine and Will Forty will be keeping it in the family when they perform at this year's Kentwood Christmas Cracker.

The brother and sister both sing in the Kentwood Show Choir under the guiding hand of Sheila Harrod the founder and musical director.

In the Christmas show they will sing By Thee With Bliss as a duo and then again in the full choir numbers including festive fare such as Bethlehem, Rudolph, I Wish You Christmas and Carol of the Bells. The choir will also sing with the band backing them in Scrooge Anthem, the Cracker Overture and of course the grand finale of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

The Kentwood show begins the Christmas spirit in Swindon and this year it is all stuffed into the one enormous Yule time stocking of a performance at the Wyvern Theatre from 6.30pm.

Special guests this year are The Aldbourne Band, classical pianist Kimberley Mok and trombone player Ian Bateman. Sue Hatchard will perform Poem, Kathy Hobson Elf Song, Esme Humphreys I'll Walk Beside You and Graham Davison-Smith will tackle the Floral Dance with the band.

A special Christmas treat comes in Three Kings which will be sung by the full choir with soloists Amy Dodson, Susie Whittington, Sue Hatchard and John Wilson.

Kentwood's own little big band is led by Paul Maguire, best known for as musical director for a number of West End shows. He is joined by Sheila herself on piano, Gary Bamford on keyboards, Tracey Absalom on bass guitar and Andy Griffiths on percussion.

Tickets for the Kentwood Christmas Cracker are £14.50 plus booking fee from 01793 524481. - Flicky Harrison