Bicycle Christmas tree appears in Bermondsey Square

The tree was commissioned by developers Igloo and has been designed by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, the firm responsible for the cycle parking shed next to Sainsbury's Local.

The 35 wheels used to construct the tree are on loan from charity Re~Cycle who collect unwanted bikes and ship them to people and health workers coping with the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

"The Bermondsey Square tree not only looks great; it can be used year after year," explains David Roberts, deputy chief executive.

"It is designed so that it can be dismantled and stored. The bike wheels will be returned to Re~Cycle and will be used to recondition bikes for distribution to Africa."

The London Cycling Campaign, which has its offices in Newham's Row off Bermondsey Street, has donated reflectors and spoke cards to help decorate the tree.

Sarah Wigglesworth said: "We were really excited when igloo asked us to design a sustainable Christmas tree. The team brainstormed a number of ideas during a design charette. A theme emerged, the idea of promoting green transport in the capital which relates to our cycle store, also in the square. We are all proud of the resulting tree, and hope everyone enjoys it."

Bermondsey Square hosts the Bermondsey Farmers' Market every Saturday from 10am to 2pm. A special midweek Christmas market will be held in the square on Wednesday 23 December.

Other local projects by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects include the award-winning Siobhan Davies Studios and a new affordable housing scheme on St George's Road.