Shoppers watched in amazement at Victoria Square yesterday as a touch of engineering ingenuity was used to place a star on Northern Ireland’s tallest Christmas tree.

Rigger Chris Williams abseiled from the dome of the shopping centre to place a two metre wide gold star on the giant tree.

At 18 metres tall it is believed to be the largest in Northern Ireland.

It is the focal point of Victoria Square's Christmas lights switch-on which takes place today at 6:15pm.

Meanwhile a German ‘American Indian’ will be one of the draws at Belfast’s Christmas Continental Market which is on its way back to the city.

Big Chief Roland Olarte may be German but he lives his life and follows the beliefs of the native American Indians — right down to living in a wigwam which also serves as his stall.

Allan Hartwell, director of Marketplace Europe who organise the market for the city council, said: “The chief’s stall is certainly unique, selling a range of American Indian crafts, T-shirts, jewellery, head dresses — and, most unusually, didgeridoos.”

The market will open as the lights on the Christmas Tree outside City Hall are switched on next Wednesday and remain open until Saturday, December 20.