'Seeing our Christmas tree outside No 10 is special'

Larry the cat strolls in front of the Downing Street Christmas tree after it was decorated over the weekend

A Christmas tree farm worker said it was "special" to see one of his trees put up outside 10 Downing Street.

Cadeby Tree Trust, in Leicestershire, won the accolade of supplying this year's tree after being crowned champion Christmas tree grower of the year at an annual event organised by the British Christmas Tree Growers' Association (BCTGA).

The tree has now been decorated, displayed outside the prime minister's residence and viewed by Larry the cat.

Foreman Matt Allan-Stubbs said: "I actually prefer the trees when they are natural looking but it has been decorated really nicely and looks really smart."

The tree was felled on Thursday before being netted and then transported to London

"All that time and effort that we have put into nurturing the tree for 10 or 15 years. It is really special," Matt added.

A tree has been donated to Downing Street by members of the BCTGA of Great Britain since 1979.

"Not everyone will have a real tree in their house, but we are able to bring Christmas into everybody's homes this year.

"I spend a lot of my hours looking at Christmas trees but I never get bored of it and I'm not looking at it in a field this time.

"It's a massive achievement for everyone, not just myself," Matt said.