A CHIRK-based garden centre has announced the three schools near Oswestry  that are set to receive a free real Christmas tree from its Moreton Park store.

Dobbies in partnership with Needlefresh, a sustainable tree grower, named Weston Rhyn Primary School, Gobowen Primary School and Stiwdio Hafod at New Horizons to come along and choose a Nordmann Fir tree, making sure children can experience the magic of Christmas.

Dobbies’ Christmas campaign is all about supporting communities local to its Moreton Park store, spreading yuletide cheer to nurseries and schools in the run up to the festivities.

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, was delighted with the response to the business’ Not Your Average Community campaign.

She said: “We’re amazed by the number of entries and nominations for this year’s campaign and would like to thank everyone for spending the time to get involved.

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“Christmas marks a magical moment in our childhoods, and we’re thrilled to be bringing some festive cheer to young members in our communities this year.

"Needlefresh has made this campaign possible with their generous support, and we’d like to extend our thanks to George and his team for all their hard work.

“A huge thank you to our Moreton Park store for all its help and hard work supporting the local community.”

Schools and nurseries from across the UK were invited to nominate themselves to receive a real Christmas tree donation.

Sixty-nine percent of entries were from nurseries and 31 per cent were schools.

Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added: “Our sustainable Nordmann Fir Christmas trees make a wonderful centrepiece to festive celebrations, and we’re excited to see how the kids bring this classic tree to life.

“It’s a pleasure to be supporting so many nurseries and schools across the country this year in partnership with Dobbies.”

All of Dobbies’ Christmas trees are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland where the growing team do everything from planting, pruning and harvesting by hand to reduce the impact on surrounding environment, wildlife and plants.

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, recommends positioning a real Christmas trees in a cool, dry place inside away from any direct heat, using a water holding stand and checking the water levels daily and top up as required to keep the  tree looking fresh throughout the festive period.