Coverage of Christmas events has always played a big part on the pages of The Mail over the years.

Festive events attended by photographers have included school nativity and Christmas plays, lights switch-ons and seasonal celebrations at a host of local organisations.

In 1993 The Mail reported that Christmas cards designed by two Barrovians would be used by Cumbria Social Services.

Nigel Shankland, 22, and Alison Miners, 19, were both winners in the county-wide competition to design a card. The competition attracted more than 70 entries.

Nigel was joint winner of the competition with Maryport man Ken Fidler. Alison won a special prize and her design would be used for Cumbria Social Services' Christmas carol service.

Nigel and Alison both attended the Mill Lane adult training centre for people with learning disabilities on Walney Island.

Nigel was presented with music tapes and Alison with a personal stereo by social services director Kay Whittle at Forum 28 at Barrow.

Carolyn Neville, deputy day services manager at Mill Lane, said: "Winning this competition is a great achievement, particularly rewarding due to their special individual needs.

"We are all extremely proud that their abilities have been recognised throughout Cumbria in a positive way."

In 1993 in Ulverston there were an extra 24 Santa Clauses scattered around the town centre, collecting for the Save the Children fund and the Health Projects Abroad fund.

The jolly old fellows collected £400, which would be split between the two charities.

In the same year Santa dropped in on the Evening Mail to stock up with copies of his favourite evening read before distributing a sackful of goodies of goodies to Dalton youngsters.

He was due to start the December festive season in style the following day with a visit to Parkers Newsagents in Market Street, Dalton.

Flookburgh Primary School pupils performed Up The Beanstalk as their Christmas play in 1993.