ALL Saints Parish Church in Okehampton will be holding its first ever Christmas tree festival from tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday December 16.

Marie Endacott, All Saints treasurer and organiser of the festival, said: 'This is going to be a fantastic event because the church will be beautifully decorated, there will be fun and games for children, and families can look at the displays while enjoying the special atmosphere that a church brings at Christmas time.'

Volunteers have been decorating the church in preparation for the festival, which opens at 10am daily for visitors. Although there is no fixed entrance fee, visitors are encouraged to make a donation.

Marie believes the event can be a big event for Okehampton.

She said: 'Other towns like Crediton have huge tree festivals and yet they started off small.

'We believe that this can and will grow in the next few years to the extent that visitors from across the South West will want to come to All Saints and see what we've done.

'This is a win-win situation for church and town.'

The festival will culminate with a special Christmas service on Sunday at 4pm.

The celebratory service will not only celebrate Christmas but the festival itself, with members of the junior choir singing solos, and popular Christmas songs for everyone to sing.

The church will also hold a more traditional Christmas Carols by Candlelight service on Sunday December 23 at 6pm.