UNTIL DECEMBER 21: THE trees at Westonbirt Arboretum are cast in a magical light in the run-up to Christmas. The Enchanted Wood is an illuminated one-mile trail through the Old Arboretum that will be on show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 21.

Almost 1,000 spotlights are used to light trees in varying magical colours, and the annual display attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Entrance to the Enchanted Wood is from 5pm until 7pm, with lights out at 8pm, and costs £5 for adults, concessions £4 and child £1.

This weekend marks the start of the Arboretum's Christmas offerings.

Potters, jewellers, and wood carvers will be among the 40 craftsmen selling their work as part of a Christmas fair this weekend.

Santa will taking up his familiar log cabin grotto complete with smoking chimney and rocking chair at the arboretum every day between 2pm and 7pm from tomorrow.

Entrance for Santa is £3.50 per child and includes an activity kit to make a bird feeder or pomander.