A UNIQUE festival featuring the weirdest, wackiest and most colourfully decorated Christmas trees will be held in Redditch next month.

St George's Church is holding the town's first Christmas tree festival from December 2-4 to raise pots of cash for the church and town charity Nightstop.

Event organiser Grace Motteram said: "We are holding the festival to celebrate the birth of Christ. We hope people in the community and from the surrounding area will come and support us."

Church spokeswoman Irene Yates added: "It's a bit like a flower festival but with Christmas trees instead of flowers.

"People will have Christmas trees from us to dress and decorate and the trees will all be displayed in the church over those three days, with prizes for those which receive the most acclaim."

She added: "The theme for decoration is open for the dresser's interpretation.

"We have several earmarked already, including one for a group of nurses at the Alex who threaten to embellish theirs with syringes, bandages and all sorts!"

Redditch mayor, Councillor Diane Thomas, will open the St George's Road event and Father Christmas will collect children's wish lists.

Church fundraisers are now looking for businesses to help the festival become a real Christmas cracker by offering generous prizes for the best trees.

The Foxlydiate Hotel in Webheath has already got in on the act with sponsorship of £50.

Mrs Yates said: "Everyone who sponsors us will be clearly thanked in our programme of events, ensuring them a bit of publicity too!"

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event or offering a prize can call Mrs Yates on 63909.