HARWOOD was in full bloom at the weekend as Christ Church celebrated its flower festival.

A total of 28 grand arrangements went on show at the church, created by a number of talented flower arrangers from the borough.

The event, which was organised by Pam Cliff and Margaret Fazakerley, aimed to raise funds to redecorate the church ahead of its 175th anniversary next year.

Harwood and District Flower Club and Bolton Floral Art Group also assisted in organising the event, which took three years to plan.

Mrs Cliff, of Hough Fold Way, said: “It has been wonderful. We’ve had hundreds of visitors to the church to see the 28 beautiful arrangements.

“We had 150 people at the preview on Thursday. It was like going to a film premiere.

“There was also a scarecrow competition for the children to get involved with and a cafe serving delicious ploughman’s lunches.”

She added: “What is most special about the event is that the Methodist, Catholic and Church of England churches have been working together to make this happen, which meant that it was bringing people together that wouldn’t normally be here.”