Mistletoe auction starts with a kiss

It must have been the only auction in the country that kicked off with a quick kiss.

But today romantics flocked to Tenbury Wells for the first of three famous mistletoe auctions at Little Hereford yard just outside the town.

Thousands of buyers from the UK flocked to grab themselves a bargain during the sale of mistletoe and holly, which was bathed in sunshine when the auction started at 9.30am.

Now organisers are keeping their fingers crossed for more sunny days during the next two sales on December 2 and 9.

Tenbury Wells residents will also be celebrating the plant by staging a grand festival on December 6.

Auctioneer Nick Champion said: "We have a lot of wreaths and a lot of holly and there seems to be the usual amount of interest from buyers."

With about 3,000 lots of holly wreaths, and 875 of holly and mistletoe along with 700 to 800 trees, buyers will be spoilt for choice. But Mr Champion said supplies of holly with berries may dwindle by the third sale.

"There is a lot of berries but it may not last until next week because the birds are starting to take them."