A THREE-WEEK Christmas tree festival is to be held in Helmsley.

More than 25 decorated six-foot trees will feature at All Saints Church from December 6, when a launch event will be held.

The church will then be open every day between 10am and 4pm until December 28, although the times will be 5pm and 7.30pm on Thursdays.

Visitors will be asked to make a voluntary contribution, as well as making donations to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Organised by the church and Helmsley in Business, all the trees are being decorated by a local business or organisation in their own theme.

Tickets for the launch cost £5 each and are available from Hunters of Helmsley, Libby Butler jewellers, Porters, Pennitas, Sat Box, Helmsley Arts Centre, Duncombe Park shop, Browns, Topiary Tree and Elijah Todd newsagents.

Chris Garnett, the chairman of Helmsley In Business, said: “We wanted to do something a little bit different, and as far as we know, a Christmas Tree Festival is a first for Ryedale.”

“All the trees will look amazingly atmospheric and there will be some really eye-catching designs to take a look at. It’s great to see all the town pulling together to put on such a fantastic festive event.”