The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lighting ceremony is on the first Thursday in December so this year it's on Thursday 1 December 2011 in the early evening (normally 6pm).

The people of Norway have given us a Christmas tree every year since 1947 to say thank you for Britain's support during World War II. The tree is normally a Norwegian Spruce, aged 50 to 60 years old, and is over 20 meters (70 ft) high. It is brought to the UK by sea, and then to Trafalgar Square by truck. It takes a hydraulic crane to get the tree in position and then it's decorated with strings of lights (energy efficient light bulbs are used).

The Christmas tree remains in Trafalgar Square until just before the Twelfth Night of Christmas, when it is taken down for recycling. The tree is chipped and composted, to make mulch.& &

Image: © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter