Intrepid staff at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park have taken the art of Christmas decorating to new heights with their extraordinary 60ft singing tree.

It took a team of 15 people three days to decorate the giant tree, which is the centrepiece of the Wiltshire attraction’s festive celebrations.

The tree is covered with 300,000 lights, has more than 3,000 baubles and 24 huge snowflakes hanging from its branches.

Made from 18 separate sections and incorporating an extraordinary six miles of lighting cables, the tree was created by a team of British craftsmen and is the only one of its kind in Europe.

Staff use a crane to decorate the highest sections of the tree, which plays a selection of traditional Christmas music and carols and features a series of spectacular light shows.

Longleat’s Steve Mytton said: “With so many lights, so much cable and decorations to put up it has been a massive undertaking, but to see the tree in place and working is amazing.

“Whilst the tree looks pretty impressive by daytime, it really comes to life after dark and once the shows begin you can truly appreciate what an amazing sight it is."