No 10 Downing Street Christmas tree chosen in Berkshire

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David Cameron with Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton at the switch on
Image caption,
David Cameron switched on last year's tree with the help of Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton

A Scottish Christmas tree grower has been picked at a competition in Berkshire to provide a tree to stand outside 10 Downing Street.

About 100 festive items were showcased at the Berkshire College of Agriculture's equestrian indoor arena.

Mike Craig, who runs Garrocher Tree Farm near Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway, won the annual competition with a Nordman fir tree.

The judges in Maidenhead picked it for its "quality, density and foliage".

Harry Brightwell, from The British Christmas Tree Growers Association, said Mr Craig's winning tree was picked to "get people who are outside and inside No 10 into the festive spirit."

The runner-up tree, grown by Richard and Gail Underwood, of Oakberry Trees in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, will be erected inside the pillared room of No 10.

A champion wreath was also picked to adorn the Downing Street front entrance. It was grown by Marie and Ragni Gilbert, of Woods Farm in Solihull.

The trees and wreath will be unveiled at No 10 on 30 November.

The competition has been held at various locations across the UK, with Maidenhead chosen this year for its central location.

Competitors travelled from all over the UK to present their trees which had to be no taller than 16ft 6in (4.88m).

It is the 14th annual competition for the association, which sells more than eight million trees every year.

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