CROWDS of excited youngsters descended on fields across the county last week for the annual Lighthouse event.

Around 1,500 children aged four to 12 attended each day of the event, which was organised by local churches in a bid to spread the Christian message through a series of fun activities.

Vice chairman Alex Eaden has been involved with Lighthouse for six years.

He said: "I got involved because my children were coming to the event. They asked for helpers in my church and I just volunteered."

Mr Eaden added: "It has been a really great week. We've had 700 helpers and the children are kept really busy through singing, drama and games. The children are allowed to be themselves. They have a wonderful time and learn something about Jesus which we re-enforce through fun and games. Every day they do a craft such as painting or cooking which they then can take home for their parents. Many of the children ask if they can come back next week, but unfortunately they will have to wait until next year."

Starting in Great Missenden in the 1980s, the event has spread to sites in Hazlemere, Burnham, and Princes Risborough, with another at Marlow planned for this year.

Valerie Evans, a helper at the Hazlemere site, said: "This is the fifth year we've been operating at the Sir William Ramsay School. We get more than 800 children here and there are more than 400 helpers.

"It really is very impressive."

Lighthouse is not only exclusively a Christian event children who don't attend church were equally welcome.

Mr Eaden said: "More than half the children here don't go to church. We don't preach to them, it's just about planting a seed and letting them run with it if they want."

Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, and Roman Catholics organised arts and crafts, games, music, bible stories and prayer.