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A hotel in Abu Dhabi has put up what it believes to be the world's most expensive Christmas tree.

The Emirates Palace hotel says the jewel-encrusted tree in its lobby is worth more than £7m, reports the BBC.

Items of jewellery studded with scores of precious stones are draped on the tree's branches, along with traditional baubles and lights.

Hotel general manager Hans Olbertz said the tree itself was worth less than £6,500, but the rest of the value was in the jewellery.

The bracelets, necklaces and watches on the tree contain 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones.

The hotel had a Christmas tree every year, Mr Olbertz said, but this year, "we said we have to do something different".

The vast majority of the population of the oil-rich UAE are Muslim but Mr Olbertz said he did not think the tree would offend local sensibilities.

The Emirates Palace hotel is to ask the Guinness World Records to certify the tree as the world's most expensive.

Assistant director of marketing Hazem Harfoush said the tree was "good proof that Abu Dhabi is a safe destination".

"We have 24/7 security, four security guards closely monitoring the space plus security cameras," he said.

:o