THE MOUNTING of the largest Christmas tree in Europe began last week in Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio. This year, the special theme for the tree’s decoration will be bells.

The tree, which is sponsored by the Millennium bcp bank, will be three metres taller than last year’s, standing at a staggering 75 metres high.

The tree always creates an amazing spectacle and is visited by many hundreds of people each Christmas. This year, the gigantic tree can be viewed from the second fortnight in November until January 7, 2007 and, over this two month period, various entertainment events will be held at the location.