CROWDS of people packed in to St Andrew’s Church in Burnham-on-Sea as it was illuminated by the ninth annual Christmas tree festival.

38 businesses and groups from across Burnham and Highbridge set up and decorated their trees with festive items on Saturday (December 8) and visitors enjoyed a service led by Reverend Richard Allen to mark the opening of the event.

Representatives from businesses including Moose International, Burnham Funeral Services, Positive Wealth Creation, The Star Prayer Tree, Christian Aid, Burnham Infants School, Burnham Brownies,Burnham and Highbridge Town Council and St Andrew’s Church Choir showed off their trees to visitors which had an array of designs including handmade angels and elves as well as colourful, glittery decorations.

The free event started in 2008 with just 13 trees and has grown with nearly 40 trees being shown this year.

A spokesman for St Andrew’s Church said visitors enjoyed the event and it was a big success.