CREDITON Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival was again a huge success and raised an amazing £8,680 in aid of the church.

More than 4,000 visitors were welcomed to the festival between Thursday, December 1 and Sunday, December 4.

During the festival 75 decorated and illuminated Christmas trees filled the church and were decorated to a high standard by local businesses, charities, groups, individuals, organisations and schools.

Stella Ahier, the Festival co-ordinator, said: “What a fantastic week.

"Thank you to all who assisted and volunteered in every way.

"A special thank you to the Scouts and Beavers who volunteered in the cafe and for stewarding on Saturday afternoon.

"We thoroughly enjoyed having you and look forward to seeing you at the 2017 Christmas Tree Festival.”

Next year’s festival will take place from Thursday, December 7 to Sunday, December 10.

Anyone wishing to reserve a tree for the 2017 festival should contact Stella, as soon as possible, by email at: [email protected] .

Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and the organisers expect demand to exceed the number of trees it is possible to place safely around the church.