A SCOTS supermarket has put up its first Christmas tree - with 135 days to go until Santa arrives.

Visitors to Asda in Falkirk were amazed to find the tree, along with a countdown to December 25.

Manager Gordon Hesketh said his customer services manager, Lisa Angell, came up with the idea.

He said: "We wanted to encourage people to save for Christmas - customers can put money on to a savings card and they will also get a bonus at Christmas time.

"We have had a few people looking at the tree, wondering what it's all about.

"It creates a bit of interest, although we're not selling any Christmas products yet."

But one customer said: "Some people might think this is a bit of a laugh, but it just puts more pressure on parents of young children when they start harping on about Christmas presents this early."

But Asda are not alone in their early Christmas preparations.

A spokeswoman for rival supermarket chain Sainsbury's said: "Our Christmas products start to go in stores well before Christmas itself.

"Items such as crackers, biscuits, chutneys and Christmas puddings go out early as people like to buy them early to spread the cost.

"Cards and wrapping paper will go in stores from September."

This week, London department store Selfridges opened up a Christmas grotto while Harrods launched their 15,000 sq ft Christmas World.