Tree-mendous display in church

CHRISTMAS sparkle ... Charlotte Grace Smith (3) enjoys the Christmas Tree festival

A DAZZLING display of Christmas trees filled Oldham Parish Church in aid of worthy causes.

More than 50 sparking trees provided by the town centre church have been decorated individually by charities and organisations across the borough.

The festival, now in its fourth year, will run all this week open to the public.

Marlene Armitage, the parish church’s warden, said: “It’s a way of promoting the charities and organisations. We hope the community come and enjoy the festival, see the church, and support the good causes, which all have donation boxes underneath their tree.”

Young Kade May (11) from Oldham took on the honourable role of Oldham’s Boy Bishop yesterday.

He is the fourth youngster to take the role as part of a medieval custom which sees the bishop symbolically step down and a young boy take over the responsibilities throughout the festive season.

Kade will now follow in the footsteps of Ellis Hollins, Ross Wolstenholme and last year’s stepping down Boy Bishop Ash Rigby.

Dr Eileen Bentley and the Oldham Choir will perform an evening of beautiful music this Friday from 7pm. £5 admission on the door.