Bells, baubles, fairy lights and Christmas trees. It can't be that time of year already? Or can it?

Every year people moan that Christmas is starting earlier and this year, at Leigh Sinton Garden Centre, it is.

The sun may be shining and the summer holidays have only just finished, but the garden centre is putting the finishing touches to its Christmas displays and building a grotto for Santa Claus.

"It's going to be our biggest and most spectacular display ever, so we thought we'd start early," said manager Robin Loveridge.

Predictably, there have been mixed reactions from customers. Some, admits Mr Loveridge, have grumpily complained that it is too early.

"Bah, Christmas, humbug, that sort of thing," he said.

Others have admired the traditional decorations and said how lovely and Christmassy it looks.

The display of artificial trees, lights, fibre optics, greenery, garlands, bells and baubles will be joined by real trees and a resident Santa from mid-November.

Currently a work in progress, the Christmas display should be complete by early October, but for anyone who wants to start Christmas shopping early, the decorations are already on sale.