A specialist metal furniture maker has brightened the coronavirus gloom with a new product - a cone shaped Christmas tree for outside use.

Bennington Metal Furniture has used its time-honoured artisan metal craftsmanship to produce free-standing trees in a range of sizes, all powder coated for a durable weather-proof finish in a range of colours.

Wendy Palfrey, managing director of the Long Bennington company, is confident that the metal tree will find favour in the growing trend for external festive lighting.

Wendy said: "We have the expertise and the craftsmanship that won our sister company Bennington Carriages a Royal Warrant, and we wanted to produce something to cheer everyone up.

"These trees are not just for Christmas, they are for every Christmas, a real heirloom that can be passed down and even adapted for year-round use.

"They can be any size, and in any colour. There are hundreds of colours in the RAL range, so

people can really go to town if they want to be a little adventurous. "They could also be re-painted for other special occasions, white for a wedding, perhaps, or a natural colour to light up the garden or on a patio." Standard available sizes range from six feet to 12 feet high, starting from £295, but, as with all of Bennington Metal Furniture's products, customers can order any size for a truly bespoke product. Lights and decorations can be fitted if provided by the customers. Location fixing security pegs can be added, depending on where the tree will stand, and buyers can choose a dismantling option for ease of storage. Trees will be available two weeks from ordering, with free delivery within 25 miles of Long

Bennington. Customers can also collect their tree by appointment.

For more information visit www.benningtonmetalfurniture.co.uk or telephone 01400 281280