Churchill's cake recreated for his 150th birthday

Winston Churchill's former home will display a recreation of one of his birthday cakes as part of celebrations to commemorate 150 years since he was born.

Chartwell, in Kent, will also display trees made from Champagne bottles as the home is transformed for its festive opening.

The event is called Churchill's Champagne Christmas.

Katherine Carter, curator at Chartwell, said: "We've decided to marry our Christmas opening and Winston's birthday by having a champagne themed Christmas celebration."

Ms Carter said the cake has been made in homage to the cakes "that Winston had made every year especially".

Speaking to BBC South East, she added: "The cake is part of an ongoing tradition whereby Churchill himself would have these magnificent cakes themed each time around some element of his interests or achievements.

"We have continued that tradition this year."

Mr Churchill lived at the property for over forty years, from September 1922 until shortly before his death in January 1965.

Ms Carter said: "Everything is Champagne themed in the house, including entire trees made out of Champagne bottles."

She said 30,000 Christmas lights would be switched on in the house.

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