Trafalgar Square's Christmas tree chopped down in Oslo and on its way to London

The 20-metre histrion was chopped successful Grefsenkleiva connected Thursday up of its agelong travel to London.

The 56-year-old histrion volition present question much than 110 miles to the larboard of Brevik wherever it volition beryllium loaded onto a vessel to Immingham successful Lincolnshire earlier making the travel to London.

The yearly Christmas histrion contented began successful 1947 arsenic an look of gratitude for the enactment Norway received from the UK during World War II.

When Norway was invaded successful 1940, the King of Norway, Haakon VII, took refuge successful Britain and the Norwegian government-in-exile was established successful London.

As portion of the ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Mayor of Oslo planted a caller histrion successful the forest, which volition past beryllium felled successful astir 60 years clip to marque a caller Christmas tree.

When the histrion arrives successful cardinal London’s Trafalgar Square, it volition beryllium decorated with vigor businesslike lightbulbs earlier being switched connected successful a ceremonial connected December 5.

Both the Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Robert Rigby, and the Mayor of Oslo, Mayor Anne Lindboe volition attend.

Cllr Rigby said: “For galore Londoners, the lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas histrion marks the unofficial commencement of the festive period.

“Thousands travel to spot the lights get switched connected and millions much bask the histrion during December,

“On behalf of the City of Westminster, I privation to widen a heartfelt acknowledgment to the radical of Oslo and Norway for this gift. They person done a tremendous occupation arsenic ever - the histrion looks majestic.

“It is simply a immense privilege to beryllium a portion of this fantastic contented and privation it a harmless travel backmost to London.”

Mayor of Oslo Anne Lindboe added: “The Christmas histrion acquisition from Oslo to London is simply a contented that symbolises the beardown enslaved betwixt our cities.

“The acquisition represents gratitude, friendship, and peace, and is conscionable arsenic important contiguous arsenic it was 77 years ago.”

The histrion was this twelvemonth transported from Oslo to Brevik by electrical truck, with diesel replacing with biodiesel successful immoderate of the machines and trucks.

It is hoped that the measures volition trim the Christmas tree's c footprint by 80% successful a bid to marque the contented much environmentally friendly.