A CHRISTMAS tree festival is set to light up Christmas the season this weekend.

Schoolchildren, community groups and churches are decorating 13 Christmas trees to transform Barrow Bridge Village into a magical winter wonderland to celebrate the festive season.

The festival will open on Friday at Barrow Bridge Mission with a special Christmas tree light switch on in the evening.

Victoria Park, a member of the pastoral team at the Mission, has promised a fun weekend, saying: “It’s going to be a really festive event and a time of peaceful reflection with family and friends.”

The festival will finish with a grand finale, including a special handbell ringing ceremony on the Sunday

The theme of this year’s celebration is Christmas carols and as the trees are lit up, a group will be present singing Christmas carols to support the festive spirit.

The bridge outside the mission will also be lit up which has been beautifully decorated.

Schoolchildren are planning to visit the Barrow Bridge Mission to deck their trees for the festival.

Schools taking part in the event include St Peter’s Smithills Dean CE Primary which took inspiration from the traditional Victorian Christmas when decorating their tree.

Mrs Park said: “The children have put so much effort into decorating the trees and making the decorations; they are fantastic.”

Following the morning service, at 10.30am, which people are welcome to, the festival will be open until 4pm.

Money raised through donations over the weekend will go to the organisation Christians Against Poverty.

Mrs Park added: “I want to thank all of my team, all those who helped set up the event, and all those who are helping out over the weekend because without them, this event would never have happened.”