WITH Christmas these days beginning around mid October, the true spirit of the season seems to be vanishing with each passing year.

The Reverend Ken Howles from St Bartholomew's at Ewood Park knows this only too well.

"I actually saw selection boxes for sale in Asda in September," he says. "Christmas for many people now seems to revolve around spending money and overeating, the birth of Christ comes secondary."

Mr Howles' own journey into the church took an unusual direction to say the least. "I've been a vicar for four years," he said. "I used to work in the transport industry and I also had a stint playing for Huddersfield Town.

He's actually a Manchester United fan, but coming from Oldham, he has an excuse! I know it sounds corny, but I believe my path into the church was actually a calling from God," he says.

"An event held at Liverpool's ground, Anfield, in 1983 where the Reverend Billy Graham preached, changed my life significantly."

Mr Howles' Christmas workload started at the beginning of December with the staff from Ewood Park holding a children's Christmas party. Mid month he led a team of carol singers outside the ground before the Leeds match and tonight the church will be holding a seeker service.

"It's a kind of alternative nativity," he says. "It starts with the U2 song 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' and all the parts are played by adults. It promises to be a bit different from the norm."

Tomorrow he and his congregation will be holding a carol service where they will be lighting 2,000 candles whilst being serenaded by a local brass ensemble.

After midnight communion on Christmas Eve and the morning family service on Christmas Day, Mr Howles finally has the chance to relax with his family.

"Normally I would be able to collapse in a heap with Christmas over, but this year I've got to drive down to Ipswich to conduct one of my staff's weddings," he said.

"My philosophy is that the Gospel, which is never changing should be relevant to our society which is ever changing. In light of all the horrors in the world, if people looked at the true meaning of Christmas, they would be able to find real hope."