Here's where in Leicestershire you can see a Christmas tree made from pork pies

Now's the time when many of us will be putting up our Christmas trees - but there's unlikely to be one as quirky as the Christmas tree created by Melton pork pie maker Stephen Hallam.

Dickinson and Morris managing director Stephen has made a Christmas tree created entirely out of pork pies - 120 large 454g pork pies to be precise.

Why?

Well, it is Dickinson and Morris's contribution to this year's Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Parish Church in Burton Street, Melton.

The event runs from today until Tuesday, December 3.

Talking about why he decided to create a tree of pork pies, Stephen said: "Over the years I’ve seen the festival go from strength to strength and it’s reach is now nationwide.

"As you walk round and see all the trees decorated in their different styles, I always find it to be very moving and emotional - and inspirational - and in the fabulous ‘cathedralesque’ setting of St Mary's Church.

"As Melton Mowbray is world renowned for pork pies I had a light bulb moment - and thought ‘well why not’ especially as we’ve never done one before in this style."

It's not the first time Stephen has come up with a quirky pork pie creation. He's made chocolate covered mini pork pies - which have proved very popular - for the last four ChocFest events at Melton's Livestock Market.

St Mary's Christmas Tree Festival is thought to be the largest in the country, with more than 200 organisations taking part and more than 1,300 trees on display.

Today the church is open to the public from 9am with last admission at 8pm. There will be refreshments all day and mulled wine and mince pies from 5pm.

On Saturday, it will be open to the public from 9am with last admission at 4.30pm. Refreshments will be served all day and there will be carols amongst the trees at 5pm.

On Sunday, it will be open to the public from 9am with last admission at 4pm. Refreshments will be served all day and there will be music in the Church by Hathern Band at 6pm and Songs of Praise amongst the Christmas trees at 6.30pm led by Hathern Band.

On Monday, it will be open to the public from 9am with last admission at 8pm. Refreshments will be served all day, with mulled wine and mince pies from 5pm.

On Tuesday, it will be open to the public from 9am with last admission at 3pm. Refreshments will be served all day.  Entry is £2 per person, with accompanied children free.