A very special Christmas tree in Ham has had an official ‘lighting ceremony’.

The party on Sunday (December 10) in Willow Bank was attended by friends and neighbours, who were treated to Christmas carols performed by violinist Hannah Saucedo.

The tree is sixteen years old and was originally a tiny sapling in a glass tube given as a Christmas present.

Thérèse Rebeiz, who owns the tree and organised the event with her husband, said: “As if by magic, at 4pm when friends and neighbours started gathering around the tree, the weather became dry and everyone was able to enjoy the lighting of the tree, the mulled wine and many Christmas treats.”

In 2011, the grown-up tree was introduced to the front garden for the first time to become the neighbourhood Christmas tree.

Mr Rebeiz hung traditional candy cane sweets on it as a treat for passing children and Mrs Rebeiz, upon seeing the joy of the children’s faces, decided to do this every Christmas.

The beautiful tree inspired Mrs Rebeiz to write an illustrated book The Magic Tree, A True Christmas Story – available on Amazon UK.

Ms Saucedo is returning this Sunday 17 to perform a violin concert with her students, who were unable to make it last weekend due to the weather.