All that was missing was the turkey and tinsel as novelty knitwear struck a festive fashion theme when the team at a Birmingham design and PR agency went Christmas crackers.

Retro Christmas jumpers - possibly from British Ho-Ho-Home stores - were de rigueur as Barques Design and PR created a cosy, fireside scene reminiscent of schmaltzy festive family gatherings in days gone by. The image is featured on the Jewellery Quarter-based company's annual comedy Christmas card.

The yuletide fashion frenzy was the brainchild of Barques Design managing director Jilly Cosgrove whose sense of style is almost legendary. Jilly said: "We had great fun digging out our Christmas jumpers for the photo-shoot - most of them were from my wardrobe! There were more laughs than a box of Christmas cracker jokes. And for some of our team, who shall remain nameless, it was a definite improvement on their usual dress sense."