A NORTH Yorkshire town's Christmas tree festival will be launched this weekend.

All Saints Church in Helmsley will once again be filled with light and imagination for the festive event, which runs from November 29 to 13 December 13.

Charities, schools and local groups each bring a decorated tree to stand beneath the arches of the church and this year there is an extra layer of creativity with the arrival of the Angels of Hope.

Since May a group of crafters has been meeting in Helmsley to knit, crochet and share ideas. In July, thanks to gifts from friends and strangers, including a parcel of thirty crocheted angels sent by Sue from Cheshire after visiting the church, the group counted more than four hundred Angels of Hope. By mid-November the number of angels has now grown to over 1,500

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