A HALLIWELL church is alive with colour and festive sparkle.

The St Thomas’ Church Christmas Tree Festival features a display of 11 trees, each decorated by school pupils, families and shops around the theme of Christmas carols, alongside a decorated community tree.

To celebrate the festival and the approach of Christmas the church also held a seasonal service and tree lighting with school children.

The festival was inspired by churchwarden Sheila Marland who proposed the display to encourage more people to visit St Thomas’ and get into the seasonal spirit by decorating trees.

Although this year is the first time the church has run the festival it has already been a runaway success.

Ms Marland said: “This festival is all about getting people in church. This is a massive church and numbers are low so we want to encourage the community to come in and have a look at our beautiful church and trees.

“We have had people coming from all over Bolton to have a look.”