Sprig of Holy Thorn in Glastonbury is cut for the Queen

A ceremony is held to mark the cutting of the sprig of holy thorn

A sprig of Holy Thorn has been cut from a tree in Glastonbury to send to the Queen in time for Christmas.

The ceremony was carried out at St John's Church where the eldest child at St John's Infant School cut the sprig.

Reverend David MacGeoch said: "It's said that Joseph of Arimathea came over here to Glastonbury to Wearyall Hill and planted the first Holy Thorn."

The tradition dates back more than 100 years where the sprig is sent to the Queen to display on her dining table.

"When you see her broadcast often you can see the sprig, it brings Glastonbury straight into the home of Her Majesty on Christmas Day," said Mr MacGeoch.

Pupils from St John's sang a song they composed about the Holy Thorn and more songs were sung by pupils from the two other local primary schools, St Dunstan's and St Benedict's.

The ceremony took place at 10.30am on Wednesday, 8 December.