Nick Hancock to open Market Drayton Christmas tree festival

Television presenter and comedian Nick Hancock will be making a guest appearance in a village near Market Drayton to open its Christmas tree festival.

The former presenter of hit sport quiz They Think Its All Over will open the event at St Mary's Church in Mucklestone on December 18 at 11.15am.

The event is being held to raise money for the church's chosen charities The Children's Society and Embrace.

The Christmas tree festival will commence with a service of carols and lessons led by Rector Jonathan Eades during which the best dressed tree and the best dressed children's tree competition will be judged by Mr Hancock.

There will be about 40 Christmas trees displayed within the church knave, which will be sponsored and decorated by local organisations, clubs, societies, schools and businesses.

All those taking part will have the opportunity to communicate their yearly achievements and accomplishments to the local parish and community via their Christmas tree decorations.

There will also be a memorial tree displayed in the church on which visitors and friends may commemorate baptisms, weddings or the loss of a loved one, by writing on a special message to hang on the tree.

Mr Eades said: "We are thrilled to be running a Christmas tree festival for the second time at St Mary's Church, Mucklestone.

"All monies raised throughout this event will be split between our two nominated charities, The Children's Society and Embrace.

"This is a great chance for our parish and local community to raise money to give to those who are desperately in need within our national and local community at Christmas time.''

A church has stood on the site of St Mary's in Mucklestone for over 1,000 and Mr Eades said the festival aims to reach out to all those within the parish and local community.