Shugborough is encouraging people to come and see the most breathtaking Christmas card scene in the area as the estate prepares for its annual Candlelit Christmas Evenings.

The recent cold spell has seen the stately home looking more beautiful than ever and this week breathtaking displays of flowers are being carefully constructed ready to take pride of place for the first of the renowned evenings on Wednesday.

Each year estate gardeners cut 50 wheelbarrows full of festive foliage from the estate's 900 acres. This is then used along with profusions of fresh flowers to create eye-catching and colourful displays throughout the house which are then bathed in the light of hundreds of real candles.

The artisans behind this work are volunteers from Stone Flower Club and Chase Side Flower Clubs. Every year the two groups of flower arranging enthusiasts take half the house each and work for several days to construct the displays.

This year's evenings - from Wednesday December 1 to Saturday December 4 - are promising to be even more breathtaking than ever if the snow covered across the estate's park lasts throughout the week.

This will be further enhanced by a variety of entertainment taking place each night with brass bands, carols singers, fire jugglers, stilt walkers and musicians.

For children Father Christmas will be visiting with real reindeer and there will be face painting, puppet theatre and musical workshops.

In addition there will be a large gift marquee with a range of stalls selling unique gifts as well as festive food from hog roasts to hot roast chestnuts and steaming punch.

The Christmas Candlelit Evenings are open from 5pm until 9pm on Wednesday December 1 until Saturday December 4. Discounted tickets can be bought in advance by calling 0845 459 8900.

Prices are: adult £10 (on the night £12), concession £7.50 (on the night £9.50), child £5 (on the night £7), family in advance £26 (on the night £30), 1 adult & 1 child £13 (on the night £15). Under fives are free.