Doctor Who and bottles of Tabasco sauce are among the inspirations behind decorations at this year's Christmas Tree Festival in Helston.

Organised once again by the Fishermen's Mission, it is taking place at St Michael's Church all this week to raise money for the charity that supports fishermen and their families.

The church is filled with 25 trees, all decorated by groups and businesses from the town. They include the team at Complete Business Solutions (formerly Brewers) who have used office supplies to decorate their tree, while Jane's Fish and Chip Shop saved up Tabasco sauce boxes for three years in preparation for this year's tree.

Helston artist Alice Hole and her husband Steve from 3HW Architecture & Design shared a tree and decorated it with a Doctor Who them, creating miniature versions of the Tardis and baubles featuring the different Doctor outfits.

Other groups taking part include primary schools, Puffins Day Nursery, Helston WI, Rotary groups and businesses such as Ann's Pasties, Raison Opticians, Carpet Connections, Bowdens Home Hardware Chris Nicholls Motors.

Julian Waring, fundraising manager for the Fishermen's Mission, said: "This is the third year that we’ve put together the Christmas Tree Festival. All those who have taken part every year really enjoy it and are already thinking what to do next year.

"This is a wonderful and creative fundraiser for the Fishermen’s Mission, the local groups, businesses and schools have fun decorating and then they get to take the tree back home or to work when it’s all over.

"At this time of Advent we are grateful to St Michael’s Church for hosting this again and volunteering to welcome visitors everyday."

Mr Waring also gave his gratitude to charity volunteer Jean Trimble who organised the event, adding: "It’s taken a great deal of time and organisation. On behalf of the team, we thoroughly enjoy seeing the creativity and soaking up the fun atmosphere of setting up and the faces on those who come along and enjoy viewing the trees."

The event was opened on Tuesday morning by Canon David Miller and Helston's deputy mayor Tim Grattan-Kane, and will now open every day between 10am and 4pm, through to Saturday.

This Friday there will be a free concert against the backdrop of the trees, featuring the Central Methodist Church gospel choir and students from Helston Community College, with people encouraged to arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.