ST CROSS Church in Knutsford is looking to spread the word about its popular Community Christmas Tree Festival.

The aim of the festival is to raise money for a local charity as well as the church, and will feature Christmas trees provided by local businesses and organisations.

The church hosted festivals in 2016, 2014, 2012 and 2010, and is being supported by Knutsford Town Council, which has agreed to give £300 to the £700 cost of staging the festival.

“The popularity of this event has grown year on year in providing a fantastic community feel in the run-up to Christmas, and a focal point for the start of the council lantern parade,” said churchwarden Grahame Nairn.

“There is incredible enthusiasm for this event, which has developed a growing following.

“This event is a welcome treat to many of the families living in and around Manor Park, Longridge and Shaw Heath. Primary schools particularly enjoy this event, especially Manor Park Primary.

“Many people have never stepped inside St Cross Church, and it is fantastic for them to see inside and marvel at the festival and the rather special stained-glass windows.

“It is one of Knutsford’s historic buildings, and it is nice for people to be able to come inside without feeling they are ‘attending church’ or have to be religious.

“The festival will enhance the sense of community in Knutsford and the well-being of people in the run-up to Christmas.

“The event is the only one in town that brings together businesses, charities and social groups for young and old.

“It features more than 60 trees from all sorts of organisations, and is a wonderful exhibition of how much there is within Knutsford.

“Even though it has been held four times people still say they have not heard of it.

“People who attended for the first time were overwhelmed, and said how they had not heard of it before and wished they had because they would have done a tree.”

Mr Nairn said the funding from the town council was needed to ‘really get the message out’ about the event, and the grant will be spent on advertising banners and printing costs for programmes, flyers and posters.