Tree was chopped down for Orient-Express South Bank publicity stunt

A 1920s Pullman railway carriage owned by the Orient-Express company was brought to the South Bank in mid-November to coincide with the Agatha Christie Weekend at BFI Southbank.

One of the trees that lines Southbank Centre Square had to be felled to enable the carriage to be installed in the piazza outside the Royal Festival Hall.

"Lambeth Council gave permission for the tree to be felled on the understanding that Orient-Express, the sponsors of BFI Southbank's Agatha Christie Weekend, paid for the tree to be replaced," a Southbank Centre spokeswoman told the London SE1 website.

Orient-Express has confirmed that Lambeth Council will be planting another tree in the New Year.