YORK'S Christmas preparations will make it onto national television in the coming weeks, after cameras visited the city.

A production team from the BBC's Songs of Praise was on the streets on Thursday soaking up the festive atmosphere and filming for a pre Christmas programme to be aired in the coming weeks.

The programme's presenter Diane Louise Jordan was in the city on Thursday filming with St Nicholas on Parliament Street and in St Helen's Square, and the producers also had a festive choir on the streets around York's famous Saint Nicholas Fayre.

A spokesman said: "December 6 is St Nicholas Day and to mark it we visit York’s Christmas Market and the city’s Minster to discover how this Christian figure with a reputation as a bringer of gifts became known as Santa Claus.

"We’ll also be finding out about a charity based in York called Besom embodies the true meaning of Christmas."

York Press:

Diane Louise Jordan and "Saint Nicholas" filming Songs of Praise in St Helen's Square on Thursday

Make it York, who are now responsible for promoting York and bringing film crews like Songs of Praise to the city, said they were thrilled with the attention such a well-loved and established programme could bring to the city's Christmas celebrations.

Kay Hyde, Head of Communications, Make It York, said: "We’re delighted Songs of Praise have chosen York for their Christmas programme.

"We’ve been working very closely with the production team to bring this broadcast to York and to ensure the city is showcased at its festive best.

"We hope the millions of viewers watching will be tempted to visit York during the Christmas season."

The programme is due to be shown on BBC1 on Sunday, December 6 a 4.15pm.

The St Nicholas Fair will be on Parliament Street until Wednesday, December 23.