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Festival helps those in need at Christmas

BBC An array of Christmas trees shining with lights inside a church with arched stained windowsBBC
There are more than 90 Christmas trees on display at the festival in Launceston

A Christmas event is helping those in need in a Cornish community.

The annual Christmas tree festival at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Launceston raises thousands of pounds each year.

Organisers said the money supported Launceston Food Bank and also paid for the church to be heated so it could be used as a warm space during the cold winter months.

The festival runs until Friday.

'Glittering display'

Sharron Wormeld, one of the organisers, said the annual festival had a record 93 trees this year and was set to raise more than £3,000.

She said the money would be used to heat the church to provide warm shelter for those who needed it, while further funds would be used to support the food bank.

Mrs Wormeld said hundreds of people had visited since the display opened earlier in December.

"People come in and just go 'wow' because it's such a beautiful, glittering display of lights," she said.

"They walk around and appreciate the creativity and hard work that has gone into each of the trees."

Rev Mary Williamson said she spent many hours at the festival to offer support to visitors while they viewed a display that could evoke emotion.

She said: "Christmas can be a rather difficult time.

"There is a prayer tree but some people have also put labels on trees for lost loved ones who they want to be remembered in a special way."

Alexander is wearing a hat and glasses and standing in front of an array of colourful, sparkly trees
Alexander Darracott visits the festival every year

Alexander Darracott is a regular visitor to the festival and said he enjoyed the peacefulness of the display.

"The trees are all amazing in their own way, they are all unique," he said.

"It's not just Christmas trees, it's a whole diversity of different kinds of trees, every one gives out a certain message and it gives out a certain feeling.

"It really is an amazing experience coming here every year."

Three felt mice, wearing knitted clothes, against a green background. There is also a sign that reads heave a jolly mice Christmas
'Have a jolly mice Christmas!' - one of the dozens of displays at the festival

The trees on show represent various schools, businesses and community groups in Launceston.

They include a tree made from melted vinyl records and another decorated with bathroom accessories, including tiny toilet rolls.

There is a tree which is home to a family of felt mice and another which helps viewers learn Christmas words in Cornish.

Others are covered in handwritten tags, bearing messages to lost relatives and pets who are being missed at Christmas.

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