THE town of Lymington is preparing for a bumper Christmas this year, with a gift-wrapped package of activities guaranteed to get everyone in the mood for the celebration.

The town's annual carol service, led by the united churches of Lymington, will take place in St Thomas's Church on Friday, December 6, at 6.30pm.

This will be a candle-lit service, complete with favourite Christmas carols, and will be followed by the formal switching on of the Christmas lights outside the church.

Smugglers and pirates will be taking time out from the high seas on Sunday, December 8, when entertainment and stalls galore will be spread throughout the town as part of the Yuletide Christmas Fayre.

Music will be provided by The Plonkers, who describe themselves as 'an agricultural band'.

Two charities will benefit from Lymington's Christmas activities.

They are the Lymington 1st Scout Group and the Peter Legate Memorial Fund, which raises money for both Naomi House children's hospice and Children Say.

Lymington is also holding its annual Illuminated Tree Festival from today until Sunday, December 8 at a Victorian church in the town.

For the third year running, the United Reformed Church in the High Street will host the Christmas tree festival, which provides a chance for exhibitors from the local community to raise awareness of their group and increase their funds in a seasonal and spectacular way.

The church, which is between Elliots shop and Moore & Blatch solicitors, will resound with children singing, handbell ringing and festive organ music.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Visitors will be encouraged to put in a bid for some of the decorated trees which will be sold by silent auction after the carol service.

During the festival the church will be open from 10.30am-6pm today; 10am-8pm tomorrow; 9am-3pm on Saturday, and on Sunday there will be a toy and family service at 10.30am and a carol service at 3pm.

Admission to the festival is free.