The Prince of Wales's Christmas tree has been delivered to Clarence House in London and, in keeping with his rural interests, it was dropped off by a horse rather than a van.

Ella, a grey Percheron mare, had the privilege of pulling a cart carrying the pine tree into the royal residence where Charles was waiting to greet her.

At the reins was Doug Joiner, chairman of the British Horse Loggers, an organisation which has the Prince as its patron.

Charles has been a supporter of the working horse industry for a number of years and met Ella a few years ago when he visited Cornwall to learn about the work of Mr Joiner, who is a professional logger and woodland manager.

Another working horse, Dot, a British cob mare, also went along ahead of a reception Charles hosted for the loggers at Clarence House.

As the Prince posed for a picture with the animals and Mr Joiner, a member of his household brought out a plate of carrots for Charles to feed to the horses. He joked with the woodland manager, saying: "Would you like a carrot?". He burst out laughing when he said "Yes" and duly handed one over.

Also invited to the reception were organisers of the British Festival of the Working Horse, the first of its kind, which will be staged in 2012.

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