The campaign plan is being drawn up to help the crafty team at Stevenage’s Royal British Legion retain their coveted Christmas tree crown.

Last year they took top honours in the Holy Trinity Church Christmas tree festival with their First World War-themed entry, and they want to repeat the feat in December. It’s a top secret mission – chairman John Jeffery said this week: “I’m not giving away any of our secrets. We’re already planning the tree, we’ve got a whole new team working on it this year.

“The festival is a massive part of the community, we fully support the great work it does for charity.”

The festival is now its sixth year and supports the work of the Old Town church, the Rotary Club of Stevenage and the Riding For The Disabled charity.

More than £2,400 was raised last year, when nearly 50 trees were entered.

The organising committee is urging charities, families, schools and organisations to summon up their Christmas spirit to decorate a tree.

The tree can be artificial or real, it is up to entrants to create the most eye-catching entry that they can.

If you don’t want to dress a tree you can still take part as a volunteer steward.

If you’d like to enter, there’s a booking form at www.christmastreefestival.co.uk.