Now in its ninth year, the Festival of Christmas Trees in the Holy Cross Church in Uckfield has become something of a local institution.

With more than 80 trees donated and decorated by local businesses, the local media covering the event and over 5,000 visitors keen to view the display every year has become an unmissable event.

However, this year’s Festival was in danger of not going ahead due to a lack of volunteers willing to deliver the trees. So when Graham Pitts, commercial manager at Parker Building Supplies, heard about the problem he decided to do something about it.

Mr Pitts and other members of staff from the builders’ merchant offered their services (along with the company’s vehicles) to collect the trees and deliver them to the church, much to the gratitude of the curate and rector who were able to call in the team to fix and test the lighting in time for a congregation eager to witness this year’s delights.