A HELMSLEY Christmas event has been hailed a huge success, with more than 3,000 estimated visitors through the doors in two weeks.

The Christmas tree festival raised more than £1,750, with the donations spilt between St Leonard’s Hospice, All Saints Church and Helmsley in Business group.

The festival, which took place in the town’s All Saints Church, featured more than 20 trees which were individually decorated by businesses and organisations around the town on the theme of Christmas favourites.

Bev Nicholson, secretary of Helmsley in Business, said: “The Christmas tree festival was

a huge success yet again, every year we attract thousands of visitors who come and admire

our wonderful, historic church and the creative, dazzling trees within.”

Individual trees, which all came from the Duncombe Park Estate, focused on everything from Father Christmas and Christmas cards to Christmas dinner and festive getaways.

More than 1,400 votes were cast and the winning tree was declared to be the 1st Helmsley Scout Group for their “stocking” tree, complete with tent.

Second place was taken by the nativity-themed tree by All Saints Church and third place was awarded to Helmsley Wines for the wine-cork creativity on their reindeer tree.