Last year, during its eight-day opening, the festival had 10,000 visitors and charities benefited to the tune of around £18,000.

Preparations are well under way and the church is particularly grateful to Fakenham Garden Centre for providing all the trees.

The Chamber of Trade and Tesco have funded the cost of AA signs around the town and the local Rotary Club has sponsored 10,000 leaflets to be distributed throughout the event.

Rector, the Rev Adrian Bell, is buoyed by all the voluntary support he has received and is looking forward to another spectacle which will attract people from far and wide.

"We know that one coach party is coming from as far away as Shropshire on a two-day visit to see the festival and also visit Thursford," he said.

"During the last six years we have raised over £100,000 and this has given us great pleasure. Learning about charities and meeting their fundraisers has opened up a completely new area of concern for the church."

The festival runs from Thursday, November 29, to Thursday, December 6, from 10am to 8pm daily. It will be officially opened by town mayor Brenda Coldrick. Entrance is free.