A record number of trees will light up a weekend of festive fun at a church's Christmas festival.

The ever-popular Christmas tree festival at Hungate Church in Beccles will feature 61 trees this year, the most they have had at the event.

This will be the 22nd year of the festival, which marks the start of the Christmas countdown.

The festival will start on November 29 and run until December 1.

The trees have been decorated by schools, churches, businesses, and local residents, many of whom are new to the festival this year.

Organisers of the event said in a statement: “We’re pleased that so many schools, churches and businesses continue to support the festival, which is a special occasion for the Beccles community and a celebration of Christmas.

Alisha, Rhea and Sydney Foster help decorate the Beccles Gymnastics Club tree at a previous festival (Image: Nick Butcher) "Thousands of people enjoy coming to see the trees, and this year is set to be bigger and better than ever.

"Please join us if you can – everyone is welcome.”

Admission to the festival is £2 per adult, with all accompanied children welcome for free.

Visitors can vote for their favourite trees in the adult and children’s categories.

The Stable Café will also be open in the church throughout the weekend, offering refreshments and food and the chance for visitors to mull over their tree highlights.

Full opening times for Hungate’s Christmas Tree Festival are: Friday, November 29, from 10am to 12noon and 4pm to 9pm, Saturday, November 30, from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Sunday, December 1, from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

The winning trees will be announced at the end of the festival and on Facebook at facebook.com/hungatechristmas.

The Christmas Tree Festival has become a firm favourite at the heart of Beccles’ annual light switching-on celebration, with many describing it as the start of Christmas.

This year promises to be a dazzling spectacle, with more participants and trees than ever before.