AN APPLE tree grown in East Malling has been placed on top of a new building at Horticulture Research International.

The building, off New Road, East Malling, will house the research station's new European centre for organic fruit and nursery stock.

Its final brick, a coping stone, was laid by Howard Dalton, chief scientific adviser to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at a topping out ceremony this week.

The tree, grown at the site, was placed on the building in an adaptation of an Austrian and German tradition of tying a decorated tree to the chimney of a new house.

The centre is scheduled to open in July and will contain fruit gardens as well as a demonstration area, library and conference facilities for up to 200 people.

Director, David Parry, said: "This exciting new building will be an excellent resource for everyone interested in sustainable horticultural production."