COMMUNITY spirit proved itself alive and kicking in Burton over the weekend as the village's Christmas Tree Festival was celebrated by hundreds of people.

The event held at St Luke's Church in Burton, near Christchurch, signalled the start of the festive period for many as families flocked to see the stunning display.

As well as the festival, which ran over four days, the church also held a successful Christmas fayre on Saturday.

This included stalls, a grand raffle and refreshments from homemade soup to warm up cold visitors, to delicious cakes.

In the church itself, more than 25 trees lined the pews with the centrepiece, a huge towering Christmas tree, drawing admiration from those who stepped foot through the door.

The theme for this year's free event centred upon Christmas music, with all the trees decorated around a chosen festive song.

From Frosty the Snowman, White Christmas and Little Donkey to Driving Home for Christmas and Rockin' Robin and more, all the groups involved excelled themselves with their imaginative decorations.

Groups from youngsters to adults stepped forward to decorate the trees including Burton Primary School, the nursery schools, Women's Fellowship, United Reform Church, All Saints Church in Mudeford, Burton Scouts, Burton Brownies, and the Parish Council.

The event takes place every other year and is free of charge to visitors.

The Christmas trees were supplied by MacPennys in Bransgore.