An award-winning shepherdess will be one of the judges for a competition to find the best Christmas tree in Britain.

Cumbrian farmer Hannah Jackson, also known as the Red Shepherdess, will be the celebrity judge at this year's competition, launched by The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA).

The judging is taking place on Wednesday October 20, at The Tree Barn, Greenfeld Farm, Watlington, Oxfordshire.

"I’m so excited to be involved with BCTGA again this year," said Hannah.

"Last year was so much fun showcasing how to make your very own wildlife friendly decorations for your tree and I’m honoured to be helping judge the best tree this year.

"Christmas is one of my favourite times of year and I’m so passionate about highlighting the importance of buying sustainable real trees that are so much better for the environment."

Hannah featured on Countryfile, SAS Who Dares Wins and is a Sunday Times Bestselling author with her book, Call Me Red.

She will select the best tree and wreath after members have shortlisted the entries.

The winner of "Grower of The Year" and "Champion Festive Wreath" will then provide the Christmas tree and wreath for outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

Last year Hannah threw her weight behind a BCTGA campaign to promote buying real British Christmas trees and made headlines after decorating her tree with edible decorations and leaving it outside for chickens and native birds to enjoy.

Managing Agent for BCTGA, Heather Parry, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Hannah as our celebrity judge in this very important event in the Christmas tree growers’ calendar.

"We are very much looking forward to getting together, celebrating the best in the business and crowning the Grower of the Year who gets the accolade of providing the tree for Downing Street.

"Winning this competition is the high point for the grower as they work so hard, all year-round, growing high quality trees; it really is the Christmas Tree Oscars.”

The competition this year is held at The Tree Barn, Watlington by kind permission of Andrew and Jane Ingram and it is sponsored by ICL.

Organised by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), the annual competition has been running since 1999. The BCTGA, which was formed in 1980, is now being managed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS).