Visitors to a church’s Christmas market will be invited to hang a prayer for peace on a special prayer tree, in the light of the Paris shootings and other horrific events around the world.

St Leonard’s Church in Sandridge is encouraging people to either write their own brief prayers or place some pre-written ones on a Christmas tree at its seasonal fair.

Reverend Peter Crumpler, Curate at St Leonard’s, said: “After the horrific events in Paris, and in other places around the world, many people are felling unsettled and unsure of the future.

“In the midst of all the rush up to Christmas we’d like to offer visitors the chance to take a quiet moment and to place a prayer for peace on our tree.

“We shall be using the prayers during our Christmas services.”

Stalls at the Christmas market will include homemade refreshments, handicrafts, children’s activities and toys, a tombola and a Christmas hamper raffle.

The market will be open from 10am until 12.30pm and admission is free.