A CHURCH in Darlington swapped carol singers for a quieter sort of congregation over the weekend when it displayed 12 Christmas trees.

The 7ft trees filled St Columba's Church and hall, each decorated on the theme of a festive song by a local group as part of a festival of Christmas trees.

Year two pupils from Skerne Park Primary School decorated their fir on the theme of When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney. Children from the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides took Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer as their inspiration.

Others involved were the Darlington SureStart group, the Youth Fellowship, the Women's Choice group, the quilting class, Clifton Community Centre, Mind, representatives from St Columba's, and the Rock Solid Fun Club, as well as a personal touch from Shane Godfrey and Kathryne Whitbread.

The Reverend Sheilagh Williamson, priest-in-charge at St Columba's Church, said: "I am impressed, it has been stunning. People came in and just stood by the door admiring them and the children were really wide-eyed. It was the first time we have done this and it has been a real adventure."

"Unfortunately, it is all going back on Monday, because we have to use the church and the hall. The trees are going to be put into a draw."