Work starts on champion garland

The garland will be displayed in Cotehele's hall

Gardeners at a Cornish stately home are preparing to start 10 days of work to create the largest Christmas garland to adorn a National Trust property.

Visitors will be able to watch the gardening team as they build the garland in the hall.

The decoration is made from flowers grown in the Cotehele garden and collected throughout the summer.

It will take three members of staff two weeks to complete and will measure about 60ft when finished.

Great tradition

The completed garland will be suspended from the ceiling on 26 November and the Hall will then be open to the public daily until 23 December.

David Bouch, National Trust Head Gardener at Cotehele said: "The National Trust has a great tradition of celebrating Christmas throughout the country. Houses and gardens put up trees, wreaths, swags and build wood fires.

"Christmas at Cotehele is no different."