A CHRISTMAS tree festival which saw Darlington churches join together to contribute displays has raised £700.

The three-day festival at Harrowgate Hill Methodist Church attracted scores of visitors and featured trees representing every Darlington Methodist Circuit church.

Trees from Churches Together in north Darlington - St Marks and St Thomas Aquinas - were also on display and many of the church groups worked hard to contribute home made decorations to use.

An Angel Prayer Tree and a Giving Tree were also included for donations to Action for Children and St Teresa’s Hospice.

Festival co-ordinator Brian Simpson said: “It was amazing to hear many people expressing their delight in the wonderful trees and their surprise in just how much goes on in our churches.”

The money raised will go to church funds.