The 12th annual Christmas Tree Festival saw Stoke Fleming sparkle in festive cheer.

Held at St Peter’s Church, the festival welcomed 29 businesses, clubs and organisations based in the village to grace the church with their creative flair by producing individually decorated real Christmas trees.

Themes for the trees this year included ‘Santa’s Forest’, ‘Christmas Gingerbread Men’ and ‘Family Summer Holidays by the Sea’.

One of the organisers, Shirley Ruddlesden said the festival went “really well” and all 740 visitors had a “lovely time”.

From the event, the organisers have been able to make a £725 donation to Devon Air Ambulance and a similar amount is being kept for the church. Currently, the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Stoke Fleming have been raising money for a night landing site in the village.

Those wishing to remember their own loved ones during the festive period were invited to add a prayer to the Prayer Tree in the Church which will remain in the church over the Christmas period.

Stoke Fleming Primary School and Pre School visited the festival on Friday and the primary school has offered to take people’s trees off them after Christmas. The children will be recycling the trees-using the branches for the forest school and the stems to make dens.

Anyone wishing to recycle their tree for the school is invited to drop it off at the school car park from January 7.

Organisers, Rokie Shiffner and Shirley Ruddlesden would like to thank all the sponsors and helpers. They are looking forward to next year’s festival in 2019.

At St Peter’s Church this Sunday there will be a Candlelit Carol Service at 6.30pm for those wishing to continue the Christmas festivities.