The Advent wreath is up in York Minster to mark the start of the four weeks leading to Christmas

While children watched, the great three-metre wide circle was electronically raised eight metres directly under the Central Tower.

The pupils from The Minster School had just placed five candles on to the mass of greenery. One will be lit every Sunday, starting tomorrow, with the fifth being lit at Christmas. Each recalls figures from the Bible, including Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The wreath, which weighs 184kg, is constructed by the Minster’s Stoneyard with help from the Minster’s flower arrangers, who use ivy from the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, home of the Archbishop of York.

Each Sunday, it will be lowered so that a candle can be lit by a child and then raised again back to its position.