A NORTH Lancashire church will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with more than 25 Christmas trees for an annual festival.

St Oswald’s Parish Church, Warton, will support the festival of Christmas trees and raise money for a number of regional charities from Friday until Saturday, December 28.

North West Cancer Research (NWCR), a regional charity that has a number of committees in and around the Warton community, has been dedicated three trees.

All three trees will be themed with iconic butterflies to represent NWCR and all funds donated will go straight to the charity.

Event organiser Chris Smith said: “The event is a fantastic celebration of Christmas, it is a wonderful experience to walk into the church and smell the fresh trees. When they are lit up it is truly magical.

“It is great that we can raise funds for some of the regions most hardworking charities. A £10 donation will secure an exclusive preview on the Friday evening. There will also be a collection tin under each tree so people can donate to their chosen charity throughout the festive period.”

Last year more than £3,000 was raised through donations.

Anne Jackson, Chief Executive of NWCR, said: “We are really honoured to have been chosen by St Oswald Parish. All donations from the festival will fund ongoing research into the causes of cancer.”

For more information about the charity visit www.nwcr.org.