Preparations are under way at Rochester Cathedral for the busy festive period, which sees thousands of visitors coming to the town for Christmas markets and festivals.

Staff and volunteers are looking forward to the celebrations, which include a packed programme of services and carol concerts.

This year, the Midnight Holy Communion will be ticketed again as areas of the cathedral are still closed due to ongoing works to transform the crypt into a permanent exhibition space.

Acting Dean Canon Phil Hesketh said: “It’s part of the ongoing challenges of a building that’s 900 years old. The crypt is now looking quite stunning, the bits that have been completed, but we have found a problem in installing some of the new infrastructure which will control the humidity in the crypt.”

Cathedral staff have had to take specialist mining advice to ensure the necessary climate control system will be adequately structurally supported.

Canon Hesketh added: “We are moving forward with completing the rest of the crypt and the library as quick as possible so there will be something to show in the new year. From February we hope the outside of the building will look less like a building site as we near completion.”

Work has finished on the medieval roof of the library and the University of Kent has catalogued the cathedral’s collection of books, texts and documents, which will be accessible online.

Just over 700 tickets are available for the service on Christmas Eve but all the other Christmas services will not require a ticket.

The children’s nativity service will take place at 3pm, again on Christmas Eve.

During the service the cathedral’s Sunday Club will perform a nativity play. It will be The Rochester Children’s Choir first public performance since starting two months ago.

The choir was begun as an outreach programme to get more children singing. It is open to all children and does not require an audition.

Tickets for the Midnight Holy Communion went on sale on Monday and can be purchased free online. Tickets need to be printed out to gain entry.

For those unable to download tickets, some will be available from staff at Garth House or staff in the cathedral shop.

• Tuesday, December 8 - Messiah Carols for All, sung by cathedral choir, 7.30pm - ticketed.
• Saturday, December 12 - lunchtime carols, 12.30pm.
• Sunday, December 13 - Christingle service, 3.15pm.
• Monday, December 21 - A Festival of Nine Lessons and carols, 7.30pm.
• Tuesday, December 22 - A Festival of Nine Lessons and carols, 7.30pm.
• Thursday, December 24 - Crib service, 3pm. First Evensong of Christmas, 4.15pm. The Eucharist of Christmas Night, 11.30pm - ticketed.
• Friday, December 25 - Holy Communion, 8am. The Eucharist of Christmas Morning, 10.30am.

For ticketed events visit www.rochestercathedral.co.uk, visit the cathedral shop or call 01634 843366