'World's most famous Christmas tree' arrives in Trafalgar Square

This is the 76th tree given to London by Norway

A Christmas tree from the people of Norway has arrived in Trafalgar Square.

Every year since 1947 Norway has sent a tree to Britain to thank it for its support during World War Two.

The near-20m-high Norwegian spruce is around 70 years old and was chosen as the "queen of the forest" from woodlands around Oslo.

It was felled during a ceremony in November attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister, who described the spruce as "spectacular".

The haulage company called the cargo its "VIT - very important tree"

Every year, the selected tree is brought to the UK by sea, then completes its journey by lorry.

A hydraulic crane and specialists are needed to stand the tree up.

The Christmas lights will be draped vertically in traditional Norwegian tradition. The energy efficient bulbs will be switched on during a ceremony on Thursday 7 December.

The tree is selected months in advance of its felling

Ms McAllister helped fell the tree in Oslo. "It was astonishing, spectacular, emotional: especially when the tree was hoisted [from where it's been for] the last 70 years," she said.

"It really is a spectacular tree. It's stunning."

Some previous Christmas trees sent from Norway have not been so warmly received. They have sometimes divided opinion online, with suggestions that they were "sparse" or "anaemic".

However, the Norwegian foresters who look after the tree describe the chosen one as "the queen of the forest".

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister (left), helped with the felling

Every year The Poetry Society commissions a poem about the Oslo Christmas Tree. This year the poem is called "T for Tree", by Isabel Galleymore. It is written for children and will be read during the tree-lighting ceremony.

The spruce will remain in Trafalgar Square until 5 January, when it will be chipped and composted.

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