FESTIVE trees are sparkling inside St Laurence Church, in Stroud, at the ninth annual Christmas Tree Festival.

The lights of 126 trees decorated by organisations, businesses, groups and individuals from across the Five Valleys were switched on for the week-long festival on Sunday by BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenters Chris Baxter and Jack Miles.

It continues today, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and will coincide with Stroud Goodwill on Friday when visitors are welcome from 9.30am to 8.30pm.

The festival will be open on Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and Sunday from 1.30pm to 4pm and concludes with a Festival Songs of Praise at 4pm.

Admission is free.