Colourful trees, wreaths and cribs illuminate Halesworth church

Halesworth church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Local organisations, schools, businesses and charity groups have helped to create the Festival of Trees at St Mary's Church, with visitors welcome to view the display until the New year.

The festival started in a small way in 2009, with the first large scale event held in 2012.

And since then it has grown every year, with more and more community groups contributing their designs.

Doreen Hale, event organiser and part of the Friends of St Mary's group, said: 'We leave people to decorate them how they want to, so they are all totally individual.

'I'm thrilled with it and it's lovely to see the community rallying around and so many people taking part.'

The Friends of St Mary's fundraise for the church to help maintain the fabric of the building to secure it for future generations to enjoy.

The festival was officially launched on November 26, when the town's Christmas lights where turned on.

It is free to look around, with donations welcome towards the church regeneration fund, which will pay for urgent repairs to the roof and windows before work can start to make the building more open and accessible for both worship and community use.

Ann Wilkinson, part of the Friends group, said: 'It's quite important that the church involves the community in the whole project to repair and regenerate the church and this is a project that really highlights that.

'It's a big community event and that's the sort of thing the church is here to promote.'

The town carol service will be held at St Mary's on Friday at 6.45pm, followed by the Christingle service on Christmas Eve at 4.30pm.