A TOWERING tree, specially selected to create a stunning display at the entrance to a National Trust garden near Truro, left staff with the dilemma of how to deliver it.

The fruitless search for an appropriate pine on land at Trelissick Gardens led to staff scouring the neighbouring privately owned Tregothnan Estate.

A 25ft Norwegian spruce was chosen, but despite being just a few miles away as the crow flies, the broad stretch of River Fal lay in- between.

Hannah Darling, visitor services officer at Trelissick Gardens, said: "We had lots of little trees in our Christmas display last year, but this year we really wanted to go all out.

"We hand-picked the tree, but I have to admit when I went home and thought about it, I didn't quite see how we were going to get it over here."

Faced with a trip along 17 miles of road or across on the King Harry Ferry, staff decided instead to take a direct route across the river – by canoe. On Monday four vessels with a rower in each, connected together by Canoe Cornwall, along with staff from Trelissick, formed a makeshift raft, which was floated on the water at Tregothnan Quay with the large tree tied on top.

After two hours of paddling, and enduring just one rain shower, they eventually landed at Roundwood Quay on the other side of the river.

Jon O'Donoghue, from the National Trust, said: "We were really worried last week because high winds and rain were forecast.

"It would have been an impossible task to complete, but apart from one shower, it all went brilliantly."

Mrs Darling added: "Watching it sailing into the quay near our gardens did look really funny; we drew quite a crowd of people wondering what was going on."

Eventually the festive centrepiece was raised into position at the garden's entrance.

The tree will now be decorated with 60 metres of Christmas lights and several hundred baubles before the official switch-on tomorrow.