THE Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich, Cllr Howard Curran, is asking people to say a prayer for members of the Armed Forces this Christmas.

In his Christmas message he says: 'The Mayoress and I send to all residents of our borough the compliments of the season as we approach the most important event in the Christian calendar, the birth of Our Lord. We wish everyone and their families a pleasant and peaceful Christmas.

'We would also like to hope that everyone can at sometime over the festive period give a silent thought or prayer for those who, through one reason or another, will not be at home with their families for this Christmas.

'It would be very appropriate if we could say a silent prayer for a peaceful Christmas for all our Armed Forces who will be on active service in many conflicts in different countries. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, they will be reunited with their families.

'Christmas time, as we all know, is a very special time. Therefore, we wish everyone a very happy Christmas.'