IT was a successful year for Tavistock's recent Christmas Tree festival, breaking all of last year's records.

Fifty five trees, decorated by local organisations and businesses, were displayed in St Eustachius' Church for ten days between November 26 and December 5, accompanied by a programme of more than 30 musical performances by local schools, choirs and musicians.

Ray Hurle, of the Friends of St Eustachius', said: 'We estimate that around 3,500 paying adults, 1,500 children and 1,000 people attending services saw the trees, with about 2,000 people coming through the doors on Dickensian Evening.

'A lot of money was raised, with a surplus of more than £5,000, which is likely to exceed £6,000 with the anticipated receipt of a major donation. The number of votes cast for the favourite tree were very high, with all of the trees having their supporters. In the end, the visitors' favourite tree was the one decorated by Tavistock Launderette, with the trees decorated by Transition Tavistock and the Street Pastors in second and third place.'

The festival was organised and managed by the Friends of St Eustachius' whose aim is to raise money to help maintain and improve Tavistock Parish Church.

Mr Hurle expressed thanks to all the visitors, those who decorated the trees, made refreshments, performed the music and everyone who helped with the festival.

He said: 'We would like to give particular thanks to the Robey Trust, who loaned us their trestle tables, and to the men from the Tavistock Town Council, who provided the "muscle" to move and place the trestles and the trees.

'We know that Tavistock is a wonderful community, with an equally wonderful church at its centre, and we think that the 2010 festival was a truly joyful manifestation of that.'

Anyone who would like to join the Friends, please contact Karen at the parish office on 01822 616673 for more details.