A BAND of volunteers has been adding the first signs of Christmas to a town centre.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Epping, more than 40 people scaled ladders to fit Christmas trees onto buildings in Epping High Street early on Sunday morning.

David Cole, who runs Coles Menswear and Wedding Hire in the High Street, has been helping decorate the town since the tradition was started 40 years ago.

“It was a lot colder then,” he said. “I remember putting up the trees when there was ice and snow on the ground.”

Humphrey Wheeler, of Argus Lighting, advised on the lights that decorate the trees and staff at the George and Dragon provided bacon rolls to keep the volunteers going through the morning.

The trees and lights are expected to remain in place until January 6.