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Downing Street Christmas honour for farmers

George CardenYorkshire
News imageBCTGA Ten farmers stand in a Christmas tree field with two winning Christmas trees and a wreath. They're holding rosettes and have plaques which say Champion Wreath and Christmas Tree championBCTGA
The winners have been decided for the Christmas tree and wreath which will go outside 10 Downing Street this year

Christmas may be two months away, but farmers have already voted for the festive tree and wreath which will be placed outside 10 Downing Street.

More than 100 trees were entered into a competition run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) on 14 October with the hope of taking pride of place.

The winners get the honour of having their tree and wreath displayed outside the prime minister's official office and residence in December.

York Christmas Trees, based in Wigginton, won the champion tree award, while Santa Trees in Liskeard, Cornwall, won the champion wreath.

The competition has run every year since 1999 and this year was hosted in Barcombe, East Sussex.

News imageGeorge Carden/BBC Husband and wife Olly Combe and Kirstie Coombe stand with their son Joe holding three awards which say 2026 winner and 2026 champion. Behind them is their winning tree with a rosette hung on it. They're all wearing red fleeces and smiling stood in a Christmas tree fieldGeorge Carden/BBC
From left to right, Kirstie, Olly and Joe Combe, who run York Christmas Trees

Olly Combe, from York Christmas Trees, said he was "shocked" to win the competition.

He will provide an 18ft (5.4m) tree to stand outside Downing Street during the festive season.

"I knew it was a good tree and when it was in there, I thought it might have a chance," Combe said.

"It's a fantastic honour. These are my peers and friends who have voted.

"It's a fantastic day. Your tree goes outside No 10 and you get a guided tour, which is a wonderful opportunity."

News imageREUTERS/Hollie Adams A Christmas tree and wreath outside Number 10 which has dark grey bricks. It is decorated with red and gold baubles. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Members from the BCTGA supply Christmas trees inside and outside No 10 every year

Helen Edge, from Santa Trees, works with her parents Margaret and Ivor Dungey.

The family has been growing Christmas trees for more than 70 years.

Edge said she was "shocked, amazed and absolutely over the moon" with the win.

"It's so nice to go up there and place the wreath on the door", she said.

"It's lots of hard work and stress, we make them all by hand.

"I think he [Prime Minister Andy Burnham] will be pleased to have a wreath made in Cornwall."

News imageGeorge Carden/BBC Helen Edge and her parents wearing branded jumpers which say Santa Trees, holding their winning wreath which has pink flowers coming out of it and holding awards in their hands. they are standing outside of a barn where the competition was George Carden/BBC
Helen Edge and her parents Margaret and Ivor Dungey have been growing trees for decades

Welford Christmas Tree Farm, in Northamptonshire, was named runner-up for champion Christmas tree grower and will supply the trees displayed inside No 10.

There were also several other categories in the competition, including best retail tree of the year and best potted tree.

Russell Parkins, chair of the BCTGA, said: "It's very competitive, but there's very good sportsmanship.

"We all know how difficult it is to grow a tree like this. That tree we're looking at today is 10 years of work to get it where it is today.

"I'm sure Andy Burnham will like it. Olly will also supply a tree to No 10 North as well."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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