It may have been mid-August, but residents of Mabe had Christmas on their minds when they turned out in force to support the annual Red Arrows barbecue.

With the grounds of the New Inn providing a perfect spot from which to watch the aerial display, the family barbecue has become a popular addition to the village calendar and one which raises money for the Christmas lights.

"It was really good, we were really pleased and we raised £300 on the barbecue," said Christmas lights committee member Emma Phillips. "The turn out was even more than last year - we had about 200 people at the barbecue. Next year we are looking at introducing other things for the kids such as face painting."

The money raised will be used to buy more reindeer light displays which will add to the ones already in storage and waiting to be installed in gardens around the village this year. "Each year we have more and more gardens with reindeers in them and on switch on night, they are timed to all come on together," said Emma.

"Each year more people are saying they want to adopt a reindeer. A couple of years ago it was quite sad as Falmouth and Penryn had masses of community lights and Mabe was just in darkness - you got to the bottom of the Asda roundabout and there was nothing."

That inspired some community-minded residents to get together and start fundraising to create a lights display for Mabe. Now, each year, there is a switch on ceremony in early December with carols around the Christmas tree, and the illumination of the village's lights.

The next fundraising event, a pub quiz, will take place at 8pm this Sunday, August 28. It will be held at the New Inn with a £2 entry fee and is open to teams of up to six people. All are welcome to join in.