ILLUMINATED angels and Advent angels were among the much-admired displays at St John's Church in Newport recently, which attracted 400 visitors.

The church's fourth Angel Festival ran from November 30 to December 2, and featured hundreds of angels in various forms.

There was a 14ft tall Christmas tree angel created by Simon Whitlock which took centre stage and impressed the many visitors.

There were also 24 angels made by the students on the fine art textile A Level course at the Island Innovation VI Form.

In the run-up to the Angel Festival, workshops had been held at Newport CE Primary, Carisbrooke Primary and St Thomas of Canterbury Primary, and the participants took their lantern angels along to the illuminated festival on the Friday.

On the Saturday, both the church and the hall were open to visitors. The hall was filled with a Christmas fair and refreshments, and more than £1,300 was raised towards St John's 2020 Vision.

In the church there were live performances by Medina Voices, Double Take and the St John's Church Choir, and between performances was a short video by Tom Thornton, showing the planning and creating of the Angel Festival during the past four months.

On the Sunday, there was an Advent service, focused on Advent angels, with the congregation surrounded by hundreds of angels of various sizes.

A spokesperson for the festival said there was a lot of community involvement, including support from 24 businesses.

"It brought a feeling of pride and satisfaction, that the cooperation of these organisations produced something so stunning and beautiful."