PREPARATIONS are underway for the return of a staple event in a town's festive calendar.

Christmas trees have been cut down and are ready to be decorated as Dalton's Christmas Tree Festival makes its triumphant return.

The festival, which features a display of vibrantly decorated festive trees, usually draws in thousands of visitors from Dalton and beyond.

The event, held at St Mary's Church, was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And organisers are gearing up for the event's comeback after delighting crowds for nearly 20 years.

Some 43 trees inside the church and seven outside are to be decorated, each to raise money for a charity.

Decorating of the trees is due to take place on November 24 and 25.

The festival will then start on November 28 from 2pm to 5pm.

It will run between the same times on December 3, 4 and 5.

It will then be open on December 10, 11, 17, 18 and December 26 and 27 between 2pm and 4pm.