Over 20 residents from six care homes joined together to sing carols at a community Christmas tree festival in the New Forest.

The residents, from homes managed by Colten Care in the New Forest and Christchurch, were supported by relatives, friends, and staff members as they performed for visitors at the annual charity fundraiser, held at St Thomas Church in Lymington.

The event saw the care home residents performing as a combined choir for the first time.

Music and arts partner for Colten Care, professional musician Fiona Pritchard, conducted the choir through a selection of traditional and modern carols.

The set included classics such as The Holly and the Ivy, In the Bleak Midwinter, When a Child is Born, White Christmas, and the Angels’ Carol by English composer John Rutter.

Ms Pritchard said: "The residents chose the carols to perform and did a lot of preparation beforehand. We sang the Angels’ Carol for the very first time. They loved learning that one and it was a huge achievement for everyone to sing it in public.

"This was a lovely occasion, an opportunity to launch into advent with a wonderful celebration of music, singing and Christmas trees, really unifying for everybody.

"More than a few people remembered each other from last year whereas others had no idea what to expect. You could see the anticipation in people’s eyes as we set up and got ready to sing. It was a very special, memorable experience to come together and sing as one, with the acoustics of the church adding to the joy."

The singers from Kingfishers in New Milton, Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Avon Reach in Mudeford, and the Lymington homes Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge, and Linden House, also contributed to the festival by making decorations for several trees purchased by Colten Care, which were sold in aid of the church charity, the Friends of St Thomas.

The trees were among many contributed by local companies and organisations, displayed for sale to the public.