The Hobbit star Sir Christopher Lee is giving fans a festive treat by releasing a collection of Christmas songs with a heavy metal twist.

The 90-year-old actor, who reprises his Lord of the Rings role of Saruman in the latest film set in Middle-earth, has dabbled in heavy metal over the last few years.

Lee has recorded several of his own albums and worked with bands including Rhapsody of Fire and Manowar, as well as Judas Priest star Richie Faulkner.

A classically-trained singer, Lee is now offering up a collection of holiday songs, including heavy metal covers of Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night.

The festive tracks, titled A Heavy Metal Christmas, will be available via online retailer iTunes.