THE annual Christmas tree festival in the heart of Helensburgh has been hailed as an amazing success by church organisers.

The event, held at the United Reformed Church between Tuesday, December 11 and Sunday, December 16, attracted visitors of all ages to view the 40 trees which had been sponsored and decorated by a variety of local community groups, youth groups, and charities. Some were also decorated in memory of loved ones.

Each day there was a programme of musical interludes provided by a wide selection of local choirs and musicians including Garelochhead Primary School, Hermitage Primary School, Hermitage Academy and Lomond School.

The final performance on Sunday afternoon was led by the church choir before a special gift service to round off the festival.

The Christmas tree festival, as well as providing a beautiful setting in the run up to Christmas, is also a means of fund-raising each year. This year the two chosen charities, one local, one international, were Enable and Osiligi Charity Projects, who work primarily with the Maasi people of Kenya.