PRIME MINISTER Johnson has praised growers and producers across the UK following a Christmas lights switch on at 10 Downing Street.

The 20ft Nordmann Fir which can now be seen outside the PM's official residence, was provided by Marldon Christmas Tree Farm in Devon, after winning Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year.

The annual competition run by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) was judged this year by celebrity judge Hannah Jackson, known to many as the Red Shepherdess.

Read more - Devon produces top Christmas tree

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “It is fantastic to welcome the winners of this year’s BCTGA Competition to Downing Street, to light up our tree.

“We’re grateful to those who have helped to decorate Number 10, from those at Marldon Farm in Devon who provided our 20ft Christmas tree to those at Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm in Warwickshire who supplied our wreath.

“Their work is a true testament to all of our growers and producers up and down the UK who work so hard throughout the year to provide us with everything we need to get into the festive spirit," he continued.

“Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace, along with health and happiness in the year ahead.”

Owner of Marldon Christmas Tree Farm, Sadie Lynes, commented: “To win the opportunity to provide the Christmas Tree for Downing Street is an absolute privilege and makes all the hard work we do throughout the year, worth it. This is a very proud moment for us and marks the start of a very special Christmas that we are all so looking forward to after a challenging year.”

The Christmas tree was decorated by Jane Ingram of The Tree Barn, Watlington, Oxfordshire and Charlotte Gilbert of Woods Farm Christmas Trees, Solihull.

Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm, Warwickshire, provided the wreath for the door of No 10 Downing Street after winning the Champion Festive Wreath category.

Hans Christmas Andersen, Surrey, provided Christmas trees for inside No.10 and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) after winning Runner Up Christmas Tree Grower of the Year and Best Short Film.