Cheer on tree prices

There will be no shortage of Christmas trees at Cannock Chase this December – and there will be no big increase in prices, according to Forestry Commission bosses.

There have been reports of a shortage of trees this year after the European Union withdrew government subsidies for Nordmann Fir tree farmers in Denmark, Europe's biggest exporter. This led to fears of a price rise of between 10 and 15 per cent.

But Doug Stanley, sales manager for the Forestry Commission at Cannock Chase, said: "We're keen to reassure our regular and new customers that they should still be able to get the tree they want, including the popular Nordmann Fir that sheds fewer needles than other varieties."

The commission has also guaranteed that there will not be a significant rise in prices, which will range from £15 to £40 depending on size and species.

The Forestry Commission is gearing up for thousands of people to visit Cannock Chase in coming weeks in search of a Christmas tree.

It will be stocking around 14,000 trees at the Birches Valley Forest Centre on Cannock Chase, near Rugeley.

Each December, the Birches Valley Forest Centre is transformed into a winter wonderland packed with gifts, decorations, Santa's grotto and the all-important Christmas tree.

Christmas trees will be on sale from 9am to 6pm each day between December 1 and 21.