Dobbies Garden Centre in Shepton Mallet is spreading festive cheer this year by offering free Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries.

As part of their 'Community Christmas Trees' initiative, in partnership with sustainable tree grower Needlefresh, Dobbies is giving nurseries and schools the opportunity to receive a real Christmas tree for children to decorate this festive season.

The initiative aims to bring the community together, encouraging nurseries and schools to apply for one of the sustainably grown trees, which have been planted, pruned, and harvested by hand in environmentally managed fields across Scotland. Each tree comes with a special code that allows recipients to track where it was grown.

George Hood, managing director at Needlefresh said: "We hope that local schools and nurseries get in touch to apply for a real tree this Christmas, taking the opportunity to come together for decorating, making memories for pupils, teachers, and parents alike."

Nigel Lawton, plant buyer for Dobbies, also shared his top tips for picking the perfect Christmas tree for those who are successful in their application. He advised families to measure their space before visiting the Shepton Mallet store, ensuring they don't buy a tree that's too big. Nigel highlighted the popular Nordmann Fir as a classic choice and suggested the Nordmann Fir 'Slim' for those with limited space. He also reminded customers to place their tree away from heat sources and keep it well-watered to prevent it from drying out.

Applications for the free trees are now open, and the deadline for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday, 7 November. Successful applicants will be contacted in mid-November and invited to collect their tree during Dobbies' Christmas Shopping Night on 21 November, which will be held in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

For more information and to apply, visit Dobbies Community Christmas Trees.