Helston's parish church was transformed into a winter wonderland of Christmas trees last week.

A total of 28 businesses, charities, schools and groups decorated a tree for this year's Christmas tree festival in aid of the Fishermen's Mission.

It is the second year the event has been held and this year it took place at St Michael's Church.

The festival was officially opened last Wednesday by mayor Gillian Geer, who was joined by Canon David Miller of St Michael's and Julian Waring and Melinda King from the Fishermen's Mission.

Mrs Geer described it as a "wonderful festival" that brought the town together, adding: "Here we are going into Christmas, with this really showing how Helston works as a community."

Mr Waring paid tribute to "the hours of thought" that went in to each tree before any decorating took place, with each of them reflecting the group or business that sponsored it, and he added: "It's the fun and creativity that we are particularly pleased about."

They ranged from Classic Cottages turning its entire tree into a snowman, to the tree by Brewers decorated with elastic bands and paperclip chains. Helston Town Council depicted the 12 days of Christmas, Helston style, and included "three committees considering," "six freemen of Helston," "seven bus shelters for waiting" and "eight benches varnished" - along with baubles featuring the faces of each of the town councillors.

The centrepiece of the festival was an almighty fir tree that almost reached the ceiling of the church, which was donated by Helston Community College and decorated with paper angels made by students along with members of St Michael's Junior Church.

The event ran until Saturday, with the final day marked by a free evening concert featuring the voices of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Choir, founded by Sarah Chaplin of Porthleven and made up of staff members, singing alongside the Cadgwith Singers, who sang at the opening of the first Fishermen's Mission charity shop, in Helston, three years ago and has supported the charity ever since.

Mr Waring added: "For us, as a fundraiser, this works really well as we get the chance to engage more and tell the public a bit about our story, and how we help the fishermen and their families."