SOME useful tips for keeping a good Christmas tree.

1. Try to buy from a tree farm.

2. Gently stroke a branch on the tree to make sure that the needles are flexible and stay on the tree, or lift it up a few inches and drop it on the cut trunk. If the outer green needles fall off, you probably shouldn't buy the tree.

3. Using a small handsaw, cut about a half inch off the bottom to help absorb the water and mount within eight hours of cutting. Continue to water the tree freely every day.

4. Finally, dispose of your tree responsibly. Use a tree collection service or if you have room in your garden, leave the tree there until spring, when you can chip it into garden much.

In our photograph today, Father Christmas was recruited to the staff at Graham Barlow’s garden centre, in Wigan Road, Bolton, to help with packing the crop of Christmas trees, in December 1985.

The newly opened garden centre was using a funnel-shaped device to take the struggle out of the job of tying up the Christmas tree. Graham is seen netting a tree helped by Father Christmas and two-years-old Richard Lowe.