Dedicate a prayer to a loved one

The Tree has been a Christmas custom in the shopping centre since 2008.

A spokesperson for The Mall said: “It is often easy to lose sight of the importance of Christmas and the real reasons why we celebrate it.

“We are inviting shoppers to take some time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and dedicate prayers to loved ones at The Prayer Tree in The Mall’s Smith’s Square.”

There is a basket of decorations next to The Tree each with a prayer attached and space for a name to be added.

Shoppers choose a bauble, dedicate it to someone and place it on to the tree, they will be collected on Christmas Eve and read out at Midnight Mass.

Kate Staniforth, The Mall’s marketing manager, said: “We are very pleased to be hosting The Prayer Tree again and working with both St Mary’s Church and the Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy. We hope our shoppers take the opportunity to offer a prayer to their loved ones this Christmas.”