A 50ft spruce tree growing in the North-East's remotest location is set for star billing at the Houses of Parliament.
For the first time, the Forestry Commission has been asked to supply Christmas trees from Kielder Forest to Westminster, with a 35-year-old Sitka spruce destined for a prime location in front of Big Ben.
Two smaller specimens are earmarked to grace 11th Century Westminster Hall and the spot behind the Speaker's Chair in the Commons.
The prestigious order caps a 38-year career for Forestry Commission works manager Derek English, from Hexham, Northumberland.
Mr English, 57, has been involved in harvesting Christmas trees most of his working-life - one year felling 42,000 - and over the past decade has been responsible for supplying "civic" trees to city centres all over the UK.
The spruce that caught his eye was found a couple of miles from Kielder Castle Visitor Centre.
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