THREE Cotswold towns are playing host to Christmas tree festivals this week.

A small forest of imaginatively decorated trees are being assembled for Chipping Campden’s third Christmas Tree Festival.

The five-day celebration in St James’ Church is open daily between 10am to 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday, December 3-7.

Visitors will find more than 40 inspired creations as they wander round one of England’s finest wool churches, enjoying a cup of coffee and mince pies and voting for their favourite tree.

The church will stay open until 7pm on Friday, December 6, to coincide with ‘Enchanted Campden’, a weekend of Christmas events.

Admission is free with donations to St James’ Church and the Chipping Campden Youth Project. For details, call Carol Nixon on 01386 841250.

Meanwhile, in Stow, the Christmas Tree Festival takes place in St Edward’s Church from Thursday, December 5, to Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, December 8, from 12.30pm to 5pm.

There will be a forest of trees decorated by children, organisations and businesses from the town with the best tree in each category voted for by the public. Father Christmas will also be in his grotto on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 5pm.

Chipping Norton’s Christmas Tree Festival takes place in the Methodist Church on Thursday, December 5, from 6pm to 9pm, Friday, December 6, from 2pm to 8pm and Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 8pm.

Visitors can also enjoy the festival on Sunday, December 8, from 1pm to 5pm.