The Snowman flies in for special screenings at Lincoln Cathedral

Special screenings of festive favourite The Snowman take place in Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday (December 10).

There are five showings of the animated classic ­— at 11am, 1.30pm, 3pm, 7pm and 8.30pm.

The screenings in the nave will be accompanied by a live orchestra and soloists from the Cathedral Choir.

In keeping with the book, the film is wordless, except for the iconic Walking In The Air, which will be performed by a chorister from Lincoln Cathedral Choir at each performance.

The BAFTA-winning animation has become an integral part of many families’ Christmas since the picture book was first published in 1978.

The animated version was first broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982 and has been shown every year since.

It will have a particular poignancy this year following the death in August of its author and illustrator, Raymond Briggs, at the age of 88.