CHRISTMAS has come early in Worcestershire.

More than 80 Christmas tree growers, from all over the country, were due to gather at Leigh Sinton Farm and Nurseries Ltd, near Malvern, today.

Their mission - to decide the title of Best British Christmas Tree Grower 2001.

The Worcestershire business won the title last year, which brought with it the honour of providing a tree to stand outside 10 Downing Street during the festive season.

"We were obviously very honoured to present one of our trees to Downing Street," said Walter Beard, who runs the company with his son Nick.

"It was the first time we'd entered and we were absolutely thrilled."

Trees in the national competition, run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), are judged on the look, feel and general health and care of the tree.

Judging for the best tree was due to take place this evening at the Bank House Hotel in Bransford, near Worcester. The awards will be preceded by an open day at Leigh Sinton Farm and Nurseries.

The company was started in 1947 by Mr Beard's parents, Ken and Mary Beard, who originally ran a fruit farm, growing apples, pears and soft fruits.

"My godfather, John Wells, was a prisoner-of-war in the Second World War," explained Mr Beard.

"He came back having seen trees in Germany and suggested my parents start growing them commercially, so they went up to Scotland and bought some young Norway Spruce transplants."

When Mr Beard took over the reins he expanded the Christmas tree side of the business and now farms more than 200 acres of Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce and Nordmann Firs.

Mr Beard estimates the company sells between 12,000 and 15,000 trees during December each year, through its three retail outlets at Leigh Sinton, Grove Farm, near Worcester, and Cheltenham.

Nationally, five million trees will be sold during the first two weekends in December.

The annual Best Christmas Tree competition, now in its third year, is a closely-fought competition.

"Growing the perfect Christmas tree is really a labour of love with a minimum of six years invested in your average UK Christmas tree," said BCTGA secretary, Roger Hay.

"It's a very difficult decision for the judges and there's obviously a lot at stake."