Gifted Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is put up

A gifted Christmas tree from Norway has reached its final stop on its journey to London and has been put up in Trafalgar Square.

Every year since 1947 a tree has been felled and transported to England's capital city to recognise the UK's assistance to Norway during World War Two.

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Robert Rigby, was reunited with the 66ft (20m) tree he helped cut in Oslo and said on X that it "may look slightly flat at first" but not to worry as it will "unfurl" and look "majestic".

Energy efficient Christmas lights will draped around the Norwegian spruce and will be switched on in a ceremony on 5 December.

Every year, a tree makes its way to the UK by sea where it completes its journey by lorry.

To make the tradition more environmentally friendly, this year the tree travelled part of the way to London by electric truck and a new tree has been planted in Oslo to replace it.

This year's spruce is about 57 years old and weighs about a tonne and came from the Forest of Grefsenkleiva.

It has been craned into position in the central London square, where hidden underneath a paving slab there is a hole with mechanical arms to hold the tree in place so it can withstand windy weather, BBC London was told.

This year marks the 77th anniversary of King Haakon VII sending the first spruce to London.

When Norway was invaded in 1940, the king sought refuge in Britain and the Norwegian government-in-exile was established in London.

The spruce will remain in Trafalgar Square until 6 January, after which it will be recycled and used as mulch in gardens around the city, Westminster City Council said.

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