While many of us are looking forward to chocolate eggs and celebrating Easter, one parish church is already looking ahead to Christmas.

The Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival committee has started getting ready for its 23rd annual event this December.

Anne Peppitt, festival administrator, said last year's festival was a return to form following the pandemic, even though numbers did not quite return to their pre-Covid levels.

Ms Peppitt said: “2021 felt really good, a lovely atmosphere, plenty of people, and even saw the return of coach parties.

“It was lovely, everyone was saying how great the atmosphere felt and the committee agreed, and we cannot wait to return this year.

"We’ve already had inquiries from four new charities.”

The festival sees charities decorate Christmas trees, and visitors are able to support them by leaving a donation in a bucket next to their tree.

Last year, £15,313.62 was donated directly to the church, while the 50 charities that took part raised another £15,760.53 between them.

Dereham Times: The Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival 22nd showing in 2022The Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival 22nd showing in 2022 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Charities will be able to apply to take part in this year's festival at a meeting at 7pm on April 19, and they will have until June 1 to return their forms.