Wiltshire College Lackham has helped to spread a little more festive cheer in the neighbouring village of Lacock.

For the first time this year the campus donated a Christmas tree to the village, with Foundation Studies students, under the guidance of campus director Ian Revill and tutor Tony Smith, installing and decorating the 12ft spruce outside the Red Lion pub, the traditional starting point for the Boxing Day Hunt.

The college also handed over a hamper, containing frozen meats, table wreaths, eggs, mince pies and other produce, to Lacock Parish Council.

Mr Revill said: “It’s always nice to do something for the local community and as the villagers of Lacock are our close neighbours, we just felt it would be a nice gesture. It’s the first time we have done something like this, and we’ll look to make it an annual thing from now on.”

Parish council chairman Terry O’Neill said: “The Christmas tree is quite the finest in the village and the students have done a marvellous job in siting and decorating it.

“The hamper was also a lovely offering and the council will look to distribute items around the village, particularly to those residents who will be spending Christmas alone.”