THE Friends of Tavistock's parish church have been busy organising the third Christmas Tree Festival, which will see the decorating handiwork of more than 50 local businesses, groups and organisations displayed from tomorrow (Friday).

The businesses and groups have each decorated a Christmas tree to reflect the nature of their organisation.

The festival will run at St Eustachius' Church until Sunday December 4. The event will be opened at 2.30pm by the town mayor Cllr Philip Sanders and will conclude with a Festival Evensong at 6pm on Sunday December 4, to which everyone is welcome.

Various musical events will take place throughout the festival to accompany the public viewing of the trees.

The opening hours will generally be between 10.30am and 4.30pm each day, with the exception of the opening day and the two Sundays.

Tomorrow is also the date of the town's Dickensian Evening and the festival will run between the opening ceremony at 2.30pm and 10pm.

This will give visitors to Dickensian Evening ample time to enjoy both events.

Anyone attending the church morning services on the Sundays will also be able to enjoy the trees and services will take place at 8am and 9.45am.

The festival has been organised by the Friends of St Eustachius', who carry out a number of fund raising events throughout the year in order to contribute to the maintenance of the church.

Entry to the festival will be £1 for adults, free for children, and light refreshments will be available.

The Friends committee was delighted with the success of previous festivals, where more than 4,000 people visited each year, and are hoping for even greater visitor numbers this year.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Friends group should contact the parish office in Plymouth Road, or call 01822 616673 for more information.