A CHURCH was filled with Christmas trees at the weekend to raise money.

Forty trees were decorated from tip to trunk by Adderbury businesses, pubs and organisations to help raise funds for St Mary’s Church and Katharine House Hospice.

Now in its second year, the Christmas tree festival encourages local businesses and organisations to sponsor and decorate a tree for £30. The Women Institute’s tree was crowned the champion by visitors who were able to vote for their favourite tree.

The Rev Stephen Fletcher said: “It was very sparkly and captured people’s imaginations.

“They worked very hard on it and had spent a whole evening working on it at a WI meeting.

“This event brings the community together, and really the main thing is local businesses, like the garage or the pubs, get involved and come together.”

Last year the festival raised more than £3,300.

Mr Fletcher added: “We’re hoping to top what we raised this time last year.

“It has grown in popularity and the church looks even more spectacular with all the decorated trees inside it. It brings out the natural architecture.”