RESIDENTS in Puriton are celebrating Christmas in style this year, with their first village tree complete with twinkling lights.

This is the first time the villagers have teamed together to organise a Christmas tree, which now stands outside the parish church.

The switch-on ceremony was held on December 5, and Puriton primary school pupils Matthew Madge and Bella Reynolds did the honours after they won a colouring competition.

The community tree will be the focal point for a Victorian-themed Christmas event on December 21.

The Brownies, wearing Victorian bonnets they made themselves, will follow a barrel organ in a lantern procession starting from the village hall at 4.30pm to the church.

At 5pm there will be carols played by Salvation Army with refreshments served by Victorian maids.

There will be a competition for the best Victorian outfit and there may even be a children’s carousel depending on the weather.

Jenny Morgan,who helped to organise both events, said: “We have had a lot of support from the children and the parents who came to the switch-on ceremony.”

Quantock Interiors provided the giant Christmas tree while funding for the lights and refreshments was provided by the parish council, Brandon Hire in Highbridge and various fundraising efforts throughout the year.