CHRISTMAS came early for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council after officers visited Longleat Forest to choose the trees which will stand proudly in the high street this December.

Administrative officer Naomi Coleman and administrative officer and committee clerk Emily Maiden travelled to the Wiltshire forest with head groundsman John Macindoe to select two magnificent trees last Thursday.

The trees will be decorated ahead of the annual Christmas Lights and Shopping event in the first week of December.

“We have picked two trees and because they have to meet a certain standard it’s more difficult than you might think,” said Emily.

“They have to be the same on all sides so they can be difficult to choose. If they were going to be up against a wall it might be easier, but these have to stand alone on either end of the Town Hall.

“They also have to be quite even so when they are decorated they looked the same all the way around.

“We also like to choose quite a traditional shape, so the trees are understated and quite traditional.”

Each year members of the town council travel to the forest to pick the trees before the wind and rain makes choosing difficult.

“People always ask why we choose them in July, and it’s because that’s when the trees are at their best,” said Emily.

“We don’t have to worry about having to choose them in the wind and rain and it means it’s easier to find the ones we like.”

Despite being only halfway through the year, the town council has also already started planning this year’s Christmas lights and shopping event, which this year will take place on Friday, December 4.

Emily said: “We actually start preparing for the next event soon after the December event is over.

“While people are putting away their decorations we are already getting ready for the next year.”

From 6pm to 9pm, residents will be able to parade the High Street and enjoy the Christmas wares on offer while taking part in a variety of different street activities.

The council has applied to close the road to traffic from 3.30pm to 9.30pm on December 4 between the Coxstalls Roundabout to the Town Hall Museum where Station Road meets the High Street.

Stalls can be booked now for the event, costing £15 for charities and £40 for non-charities. Call 01793 850222 for details.