Northern Lights festive trail brings just the magic we need this winter

I SEE what looks like a tree on fire.

- BARBARA HODGSON

Northern Lights trail launch night in Newcastle

(Photos: Tom Martin)

Flames of red and orange break out at its base then flicker up the trunk in an explosion of colour.Overhead, thick shimmering ribbons of vines hang from the branches and appear to twist and tumble as I watch. This extraordinary sight is Jungle Tree and just one of 13 utterly magical installations making up this year's Northern Lights trail in Newcastle.

Back for a third consecutive year, the festive trail of illuminations which winds its way around Leazes Park - following a reverse route this time - is all new and as full of surprises as ever. I spot the Jungle-theme addition when I round a corner in the path and it bursts into life with lights which have transformed the great tree into a work of art, colours ebbing and flowing to the sounds of the jungle.

I had already thought twice that I'd found my favourite attraction but kept changing my mind en route. By then I'd already admired all sorts of fast and furiously-changing colours, including another of the park's trees draped high with lametta-like lights; passed through Spiropath - a zappy tunnel network - and found my happy place in a laser world with a full-on disco vibe.