CHRISTMAS greetings from Ambleside are heading around the world thanks to a venture by a local filmmaker.

Steve Ashworth, more usually known for his filming of extreme sports from unusual angles, has made a short video of the town’s traders and business owners saying "happy Christmas" to the world. It has been sent out via YouTube on websites and social media networks.

The initiative was timed to coincide with "small business Saturday" which aimed to encourage people to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas.

"This is a great little town of independent businesses,” said Mr Ashworth of MOViE iT. “We thought it would be a good way to highlight them as well as promote Ambleside around the world."