A KARATE school is raising money to give Winsford the biggest festive makeover it has seen in years.

Modern Kenpo Karate Association (MKKA), in Winsford Cross, wants to transform the town into a winter wonderland and is currently building a grotto in his workshop, which will then be moved into town next month.

The school is raising £500 so it can finish the job, and Ted Clare, a sensei at MKKA, believes that the project will spread some much-needed festive cheer across Winsford.

"The town centre is going through a bit of a decline," he told the Guardian.

"And it can be difficult for people at this time of year when money is short, so they can feel a bit downhearted.

"When we asked people about this we were shocked how many people, even with kids of their own, couldn't remember Winsford being particularly festive – they just remembered going to Chester.

"We are doing this for the town, we aren't making anything from it. We just want to take it back to how Christmas used to be before it all got a bit commercial."

Ted and the MKKA team have put forward their idea to Winsford Town Council, and have proposed to donate the grotto after this Christmas so that it can be kept for residents in years to come.

The karate school will also be collecting money for St Luke's Hospice while the grotto is open, and Ted hopes the project will help to bring the community together for Christmas.

"The man hours that have gone into this so far have been ridiculous," Ted added.

"We are all working during the daytime, and we have the academy three nights a week, so all our spare time has been going on this.

"But we are a community group and this is something we want to do for the community.

"It will be something for parents and children to make nice memories, and I want it to show that Winsford is not a dead town, and we have a strong community spirit here."

To donate to MKKA's grotto fund, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mkka-saves-christmas