A TELEVISION presenter will return to a County Durham Christmas tree celebration to perform the official opening.

Newsreader Pam Royle will open this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Edmund’s Church, in Sedgefield, on December 1.

Demand for trees has led organisers to believe the festival will be even better than that in 2016, which attracted praise from visitors across the North-East and further afield.

Churchwarden and festival team member, Brenda Moore, said: “Pam was a great success when she opened our first festival two years ago and we are thrilled that she will be back here in December.”

Local businesses and organisations in Sedgefield have already taken up offers to sponsor and decorate around 40 trees ranging in size from 3ft to 6ft.

Any local group interested in the remaining few should contact Ms Moore on 01740-620758.

The festival theme is A Carol for Christmas.

It will be launched on Saturday, December 1, and will be open daily to visitors until Thursday, December 6, inclusive.

During that period, special attractions will include the traditional Civic Carol Service, a concert by Ferryhill Town Band and performances at various times by several local music groups.

Profits from this year’s event will be shared between the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the appeal to repair the roof of the North Transept at St Edmund’s Church which was recently targeted by lead thieves.