A CELEBRATION of Christmas was held by a church over three days in the Wee County last week.

Clackmannan Parish Church held its annual Festival of Christmas last week with more than 30 beautifully decorated Christmas trees and displays on show.

This year's theme was 'Christmas Through the Ages' with many local families, businesses, youth and adult organisations sponsoring and fashioning the trees.

Pupils from Clackmannan Primary School helped to decorate the church building with wonderfully coloured snowmen from around the world with classes visiting the event and joining in the merriment by voting their favourites.

The children also entered a competition in which they tried to determine where Santa would visit Scotland first, wrote and posted a letter to Father Christmas and solved a puzzle scattered amongst the displays.

Winning the competition was Mackenzie Crews, P6, who was nearest to Skye and three others will also receive prizes for getting the puzzle right.

Visitors were also able to vote for their favourite trees – Bargains and Bites came third, second was the town's Warnock family, while the top prize was scooped by locals Michelle and Kathryn Clark.

The festival was held between Tuesday and Saturday last week and during the week, a full programme of entertainment was also waiting for guests.

Performers included Dave Sinclair and Friends, Scottish Folk Music, Hillfoot Harmony Singers, Brass Band Ensemble, Callander Chimes, Handbell Ringers, Musical Allsorts and much more.

Stalls and craft tables were also available with gifts, refreshments and eats.

The string of events was rounded off on Saturday evening with carol singing led by locum minister Rev Ray Gaston.

Organisers wanted to say thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers, without whom the festival would not have been such a success.

Special thanks go to main event organiser Helen Paterson and Meg Carroll for putting the programme of entertainment together.