Forest of trees wow crowds and organisers at Ottery Christmas Tree Festival

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The Friends of Ottery St Mary Parish Church have seen the event go from strength to strength with a record number of displays this year as it enters its ninth year.

There are 58 trees in the church this year which have been decorated by participants aged three to 90.

Among the display is the Ottery St Mary flower arranging club which has decorated its tree to represent its 50th anniversary.

Organisers saw a strong start to the festival with more than 200 people coming through the door on Wednesday (November 27).

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Organiser Carol Bennett, from the friends' group, said: "It has been absolutely brilliant.

"It has been a fantastic day. It's just amazing how they come up with different ideas year after year after year. It's just absolutely amazing.

"It's what we wanted when we planned the first one. We wanted it to be for the community and bring the town together."

The festival is running until Saturday (November 30).

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Doors are open from 11am to 8pm on Friday to coincide with late night shopping, 11am to 5pm on Saturday. Refreshments are available.

The trees will still be available to see in the church on Sunday, but only between services. There will be no refreshments.

Among the many trees on display is one representing Ottery St Mary Town Council, decorated by councillors, staff and helpers.

The council's deputy CEO, Liz Graveney, expressed her gratitude to all those involved.

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

She said: "Special thanks to Cllr Vicky Johns and her daughter Lottie for the handmade Christmas decorations, which are amazing and must have taken hours of work."

She also thanked Emma Grainger who helped put the tree in place on the Tuesday before the festival opened.

"We think the town council has a Christmas tree to be proud of," she said.

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Friends of Ottery christmas tree festival. Ref sho 48 19TI 5306. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

L-R councillor Vicky Johns, Cllr Geoff Pratt, Cllr Richard Grainer, Chris McIntyre, Liz Graveney. Picture: Ottery Town Council (Image: Ottery Town Council)