THIS weekend offers the last chance to see Bridport United Church lit up and filled with a beautiful array of decorated Christmas trees.

More than 50 illuminated trees have filled the East Street church for the annual Christmas tree festival.

They have each been decorated by local charities, groups and schools, including Bridport and District Parkinson’s Society, Tax Help for Older People, West Bay Coastguard, The Living Tree, Bridport Primary School, Bridport and District Gardening Club and Bridport Lions Club to name a few.

Each tree depicts a different theme, either to raise awareness of the charity or group, act as a memorial or a creative outlet for what Christmas means to them.

There is also two ‘prayer trees’ at the front of the church, which encourage adults and children to write prayers and hang them on the trees, some of which are read out for others to share.

The trees for the festival all come from Groves Nurseries, which are delivered by staff before the festival and collected for recycling by the garden centre when it ends.

This year, the church’s principal charity is Barnados, which they will be collecting for while the festival is open.

The festival has been a highlight of the church’s calendar for more than 20 years after being set up by Bryan and Kath Chant.

Since then, more than 75,000 visitors have passed through the doors and around £60,000 has been raised for charities.

Regular services and special events will be taking place at the church during the festival, including an evening of Christmas carols, songs and readings, hosted by Bridport Churches Together, taking place this evening (Thursday) from 7pm. Entry is free.

The festival will conclude with the annual church carol service at Bridport United Church on Sunday, December 16 at 4.30pm.

The festival will be open today (Thursday) until 5pm, 10am to 4.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 2pm to 3.30pm on Sunday.

For more information visit www.buc.cool/christmas-tree-festival