<p>A couple’s first Christmas tree which they planted in their garden 44 years ago and now stands 50ft high is the only bright landmark in one of Britain’s darkest villages.</p><p>Avril and Christopher Rowlands dug a hole for their £6 fir outside their front window to mark their first Christmas together in their new home in 1978.</p><p>More than four decades later, the whopping tree now towers over their four-bedroom detached house.</p><p>Over the years, the couple have decorated the tree with 3,000 festive lights, which they switch on every December.</p><p>The lit tree now stands as the only illumination in Inkberrow, Worcs., which is one of Britain’s darkest villages on account of there being no street lighting.</p><p>Despite rocketing energy costs, the couple refused to cancel this year’s official switch on and around 2,000 people joined them to see it lit up on Saturday (3/12) night.</p><p>Retired TV writer Avril, 76, said: "After two years of somewhat scaled back versions due to Covid we're planning to get the tree back to its full glory this year. </p><p>"A couple of years back our electricity provider actually gave us £100 off our bill so we're going to request the same this year as you never know unless you ask. </p><p>"It just wouldn't be Christmas without it, it has been a tradition for that long now that we </p><p>wouldn't even dream of cancelling it. </p><p>"During Covid it served as a beacon of light and I still think people need that now. </p><p>“The only thing we didn't do was serve coffee from our garage but we got a mobile van that did that for us. </p><p>"There was also a vintage children's funfair there and we have hopefully raised lots of money for charity. </p><p>“It's a good cause, so we will carry on and not be put off by the energy prices.</p><p>"Thousands of people turn out for it, so we didn't want to let anybody down." </p><p>The tree is so big a farmer loans the couple his cherry picker to help them decorate it with 3,000 lights.</p><p>The couple have raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity from wellwishers who turn up to view the incredible fir which is visible from miles around.</p>