Work has started to create the country's biggest Christmas tree.
Staff at Kew Gardens' country estate, Wakehurst Place in in Ardingly, are preparing to hang almost 2,000 lights on a Giant Redwood tree.
Two huge cranes are being brought in to help decorate the massive 35m high tree which when lit up is used as an unofficial final approach beacon by pilots heading for Gatwick Airport.
The tree, proper name sequoiadendron giganteum, will light up the skies from November 29 until the 12th night after Christmas.
Trevor Butler, a spokesman for Wakehurst Place near Ardingly, which boasts one of the world's biggest collection of rare seeds at a purpose-built seed bank, said: "When all the lights are glowing they are equivalent to 27 single-bar electric fires.
"It is certainly something of a beacon, and can be clearly seen for several miles around. Even pilots coming into Gatwick at this time of the year look out for it so they know they are nearly home."
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