With Christmas nearly upon us, those planning on cooking a traditional roast dinner on December 25 might be starting to think about how they will tackle the mammoth task this year.

Pulling off a meal for all the family is a triumph and may even involve preparations the night before in order to get the turkey and stuffing prepared for a lunchtime celebration.

For those sticking to a traditional meal on Christmas Day, there will be turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes and a flaming pudding.

However, with most families only roasting a turkey once a year, it's understandable that some may not remember how to roast the bird and for how long.

Ahead of Christmas Day, the Mirror researched some handy tips to help you get dinner ready on time.

How long does a turkey take to defrost?

British Turkey estimates a 4kg turkey will take 16 hours to defrost.

Pulling off a Christmas dinner on time is a mammoth task

How long to cook my turkey?

Crucial to any roast is how long it takes to cook the meat. This is worked out by the weight of the joint (including the weight of the stuffing).

The turkey should be at room temperature before cooking.

For a roast turkey weighing less than 4kg, British Turkey recommends 20 minutes per kilogram plus 70 minutes at 190C (180C for fan ovens), GM5, 375F.

How long do turkeys take to cook?

Birds weighing more than 4kg require 20 minutes per kilogram plus 90 minutes at that temperature.

And always make sure you check it's cooked through (see how below).

Don't forget to allow time for the meat to rest too - 15 to 20 minutes. Loosely covered with foil it will stay warm while you can get on with the vegetables.

When you know what time your turkey should be cooked you can work out the rest of your dinner cooking timetable.

How can I tell if the turkey really is cooked?

All ovens vary, and moving other dishes around in the oven will affect the temperature, so you still need to check the bird is actually cooked rather than just relying on timings.

The juices should run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer. If you have a temperature probe it should measure 72C or above in the thickest part of the breast.

The Christmas season is upon us!

What should I do to make it really tasty?

There are many different ways of cooking a turkey to perfection, with MasterChef's John Torode choosing to fill his turkey with water.

Baking star Mary Berry, on the other hand, likes to cover hers with butter. Yum!