DESPITE a very tough growing year, National Trust staff, volunteers and members of the public at Cotehele in Cornwall, are just starting the meticulous process of creating the longest Christmas garland at any trust property in the country.

Only 20,000 flowers have been picked this year rather than the usual 30,000 because of the weather but the team involved are confident the garland will look as stunning as ever.

Each flower, which is dried after being picked, will now be added one by one to create a stunning 60ft garland — which forms an integral part of the Christmas display at the property.

Every November, the historic house opens to the public so visitors can watch staff and volunteers putting the garland together from flowers such as ornamental grasses, everlasting sand flower, straw flower, paper daisy, paper rose and statice.

Visitors are also invited to climb the scaffold and add a few flowers if they'd like.

Constructed during November by a team of staff and volunteers, the spectacular result can be seen daily through December, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.