Over 40 decorated Christmas trees will fill Sheringham Parish Church with colour and the festive scent of pine when the town's second annual festival gets under way this Thursday, December 8.

A programme of live carols and seasonal music is planned to accompany the seven-day event which last year raised nearly �4,000 for good causes through visitors' donations.

Once again national, regional and local charities have each decorated their own tree to reflect their work as imaginatively and creatively as possible.

Those taking part include the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Royal British Legion, Dogs Trust, Woodfields School, Sheringham, Help For Heroes, and the hospice at Quidenham.

There will also be a prayer tree and visitors are invited to write a prayer and add it to the branches.

Charity stalls selling Christmas presents and light refreshments will be available throughout the festival which follows the inaugural and successful event last year, held in St Andrew's Methodist Church.

It will be St Peter's first opportunity to play host and organisers are hoping that in future years the venue will alternate between the two churches.

At various times entertainment will be provided by live organ and piano music plus local groups including the Marsham Belles hand bells, Sheringham schools, and Jefferson Mandolins.

And on Monday December 12 there will be informal prayers and carols among the trees at 2pm.

? The festival runs from December 8-14 and will be open on weekdays from 10.30am to 6.30pm, Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. Admission is free.