THE annual Christmas tree festival at St Lawrence Church in Alton attracted a steady crowd to view the 42 trees and Nativity scenes, decorated by organisations and businesses.

Organised by St Lawrence chorister Elaine Cook, the exhibits ranged from an innovative tree made from gold picture frame moulding, courtesy of Fine Framing, to an unusual, beautifully decorated upside down tree, exhibited by Unique Chic, and from the delightful scene of a Christmas tree being loaded onto a truck, complete with crane and Thomas the Tank Engine, made by the Alton Model Group, to the Kemp and Stevens Memory Tree, which will remain in the church over the Christmas period to enable people to add the names of loved ones.

Also on display in the church were a lovely range of photographic cards and gifts, produced by Photography Belles.

Thanks to the generous donations of visitors, the yearly festival raised more than £400, which will be used by the Church Street church in its community and outreach work.