A WINCHESTER shopping centre is ready to kickstart the festive season after its huge Christmas tree was installed.

The tree went up on the lower floor of the Brooks Shopping Centre over the weekend, following the launch of the centre’s late-night shopping hours.

The Christmas tree, which is so tall it towers over both floors of the shopping centre, will provide a focal point for festive performances from local choirs.

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Hampshire Chronicle: The Brooks' treeThe Brooks' tree (Image: The Brooks)

Winchester Rock Choir will be singing throughout the day on Saturday, December 2 and The Westgate School Choir will be entertaining shoppers around the tree on Tuesday, 5 and 12 December from 2 to 2.30pm. Finally, community choir, Winchester Sings, will perform from 11am on Saturday, December 16.

To make room for the tree and performance area, the soft play has temporarily been removed and will be reinstalled in early January.

The shopping centre will be open until the later time of 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays until December 16.

The car park will also be open until 8pm on these days with last entry to the car park at 6pm.