Carol singers are being warned away from doorsteps this Christmas in case residents find them threatening.

Police and neighbourhood watch organisers in Preston, Lancashire have produced official notices for nervous residents to place in their windows.  The yellow postcard-sized signs, also being handed out at libraries and GPs' surgeries, read: "Sorry no carol singers, I won't open my door to you." Produced by the Safer Chorley and South Ribble Partnership, they have already been distributed in Penwortham, a middle class suburb of Preston and there are plans to hand them out more widely.

It represents an extension of a tactic widely used at Hallowe'en to deter unwanted trick-or-treaters.  But some church leaders said the suggestion that people were now afraid of carol singers was an alarming reflection on modern Britain.  "It is a terrible state of affairs that people are terrified of answering their doors, so this is what they have to do," said Father Timothy Lipscomb, the Vicar of Preston.

However, Chief Insp Richard Robertshaw of Lancashire Police rejected accusations of a "bah-humbug" approach.  "Singing Christmas carols is a wonderful tradition which we encourage, as long as children are considerate," he said.  "But while carol singers bring festive cheer to many, we must bear in mind there are residents who for a variety of genuine reasons, are not comfortable with having groups of people at their doors."

At least Halloween is only one night!

Either side of the front door, Edna and Harold saw few carollers.

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