Unusual trees at the heart of the first Christmas tree festival at St Nicholas Church in Fundenhall

St Nicholas Church, Fundenhall, hold their first Christmas Tree Festival including a tee made out of cuddly toys which will be donated to charity.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holding its first Christmas Tree Festival, St Nicholas Church in Fundenhall, near Wymondham, is decked out with 27 trees decorated by various local organisations.

But one special and unusual tree is drawing people's attention - because it is made out of 700 donated stuffed toys.

And when the festival is over, these toys, along with another 300 which could not fit onto the tree, will be donated to a number of charities including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unite and Maternity Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

Carrie Burridge, one of the festival organisers, said she was inspired to create the tree for the hospital ward after her two-year-old son Ayrton was treated for Group B Strep when he was born.

The 28-year-old said: 'It began when we were looking for ideas for the Christmas tree festival. Without much thought I put out a plea on Facebook if anyone wanted to donate toys.'

Mrs Burridge has received toys from across the country - with more than 1,000 donated.

She said: 'Never in a million years did I think I was going to get this many toys.

'It is the first year and for so we wanted it to be a success. Every single tree in this room has had so much effort put into them.'

The toys will also be donated to a number of charities including East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Leeway.

The Christmas Tree Festival is open from 4pm to 8pm Thursday and Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturday.

A Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday and will feature Christmas stalls, refreshments and a visit from Father Christmas.

And on Sunday, from 6.30pm, will be the annual carol service.