A “HEARTFELT” Christmas display created by people from across Bury is on show at the Mill Gate shopping centre.

For the second year, residents have got together to make a festive feature — the Tree of Hearts.

The display has come out of Groundwork’s Big Lottery-funded Streets of Community Spirit (SCS) project, which brought people together to create a feature that represented the love people have for Bury.

A wooden tree frame has been adorned by more than 770 handmade hearts, of different colours and sizes, sewn by 600 people, including volunteers, residents and pupils from Prestwich Arts College and Peel Brow Primary School in Ramsbottom.

Angela Nelson, student services manager at Prestwich Arts College, said: “Pupils and staff welcomed the opportunity of being part of this great community project. We are looking forward to future collaborations with Ground-work.”

After the success of the Knitted Christmas Tree in 2012, the Tree of Hearts was unveiled by the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Sharon Briggs in Schorndorf Square.

Peter Barber, Mill Gate centre manager, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved with a campaign which promotes positive community relations as well as raising money for worthwhile causes.”

Rachael Bamber, SCS project officer, said: “Something so simple can break down barriers and misconceptions as older generations have worked side by side with teenagers and younger children.”

It is envisaged the sewn hearts will dismantled in the New Year and donated to a local charity for fundraising.