The 'living' beach hut advent calendar

A very special version of the traditional calendar is on display along Hove seafront throughout December. Alex Johnson takes a peek inside and follows its progress on this page

One of the jolliest ways of celebrating the run-up to Christmas Day is opening the doors of your advent calendar. But there are no chocolate Barbies behind the one put together by the Beyond Church group in Brighton and Hove which aims to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.

Instead, the group is taking over 24 beach huts for their 'living' calendar and when the doors open each night at a new hut from 5.30pm to 6.30pm there's an art display, performance or decoration based on a Christmas theme inside. Minced pies and mulled wine will be served and those attending also have the chance to win a special prize at the end of the month of a dinner, bed & breakfast stay at Brighton's boutique Hotel du Vin.

The Independent will be bringing you every hut as it is unveiled so please pop by every day to see what's behind the shed doors.

A full list of which beach huts will be opening is available at the Beyond web site where there are also daily updates on their blog which includes photographs of last year's event run along the theme of 'Christmas carols'.

Beyond aims to help people to a deeper understanding of spirituality through the arts and other creative activities and explore non-traditional ways of being Christian.