The Leicester Mercury has been quick off the blocks and is first to run a contest to find some favourite festive funnies.

It is asking readers to send in their best – or worst – Christmas cracker jokes.

The best will be published in the Mercury in the run-up to Christmas to get people in the festive mood.

And as an added incentive, anyone who has a joke published will be entered into a prize draw to win a luxury set of crackers!

Linda Steelyard, who – complete with a full-colour festive picture by-line – is running the competition, said: “Particularly welcome are ditties about Santa in Syston, reindeer in Rothley and tinsel in Twycross!”