The Heybridge Community Christmas Wish Tree event planned for Sunday (20 December) has been cancelled due to the new Tier 3 restrictions – but the parish council that organised it still has plenty of festive cheer in the bag.

There was great excitement when the large tree arrived at Plantation Hall, Heybridge, ready for the event where local children would have helped decorate the tree before Santa arrived.

However, news of the new restrictions meant this couldn't now go ahead, along with the free refreshments and carol singing.

A spokesperson for Heybridge Parish Council said: "Sadly, we've had to cancel the event, but the chairman still aims to turn the lights on at 4pm."

Despite the obvious disappointment, the parish council is proud of the festive achievements of the ongoing Helping Hands project. The endeavour has put together a bumper selection of food bags for families that need a little extra help this Christmas in what has been such a difficult year.

Selection boxes were handed out to all the pupils at Heybridge Primary School and Heybridge Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Richard Perry, hand delivered hampers to residential care homes in Heybridge.

The chairman also donated a hamper as a raffle prize to the school's PFTA (Parents, Friends and Teachers Association).