RED Shepherdess Hannah Jackson will be the celebrity judge of this year’s competition to find the best Christmas tree in Britain, with the winner providing the tree for No 10 Downing Street.

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) has launched the annual competition to its 320 members, with the judging taking place on Wednesday, October 20, at The Tree Barn, Greenfeld Farm, Watlington, Oxfordshire.

Hannah is a Cumbrian farmer who’s featured on Countryfile, SAS Who Dares Wins and is a Sunday Times Bestselling author with her book, Call Me Red. She will select the best tree and wreath after members have shortlisted the entries.

The winner of Grower of The Year and Champion Festive Wreath will then provide the Christmas tree and wreath for outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

Last year, Hannah threw her weight behind a BCTGA campaign to promote buying real British Christmas trees and made headlines after decorating her tree with edible decorations and leaving it outside for chickens and native birds to enjoy.

Hannah said: “I’m so excited to be involved with BCTGA again this year. Last year was so much fun showcasing how to make your very own wildlife friendly decorations for your tree and I’m honoured to be helping judge the best tree this year.

"Christmas is one of my favourite times of year and I’m so passionate about highlighting the importance of buying sustainable REAL trees that are so much better for the environment.”

The BCTGA, which was formed in 1980, is now being managed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS).

Heather Parry, Managing Agent for BCTGA, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Hannah as our celebrity judge in this very important event in the Christmas tree growers’ calendar. We are very much looking forward to getting together, celebrating the best in the business and crowning the Grower of the Year who gets the accolade of providing the tree for Downing Street.”

Last year’s winner was York Christmas Trees, who were crowned Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year.

Organised by the BCTGA, the annual competition has been running since 1999. The BCTGA, which was formed in 1980, is now being managed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.