Town's 'half-dead' Christmas tree replaced

A town's new Christmas tree has been greeted with tidings of great joy by residents after the initial "half-dead" one was described as "diabolical" and a "disgrace".

The first forlorn fir, with droopy, thin branches and browning needles, was put in the marketplace in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on 4 November.

The town council agreed it was not fit for purpose and requested a replacement from the supplier, which duly arrived and is now being decorated.

Residents agreed the fine new spruced-up specimen was a big improvement and said they were looking forward to seeing it lit up on 30 November.

When the first bedraggled tree arrived in the Fenland town, passersby told the BBC the "half-dead" display was a waste of money, and compared it to March town centre's wonky tree, which became a surprise viral hit in 2023.

The town council was told the extremely dry summer had affected the growth and health of taller trees.

A new one arrived shortly afterwards, which the council said was "shorter but healthier".

Annalise Bliss from TS Services, the contractor in charge of the tree's erection and decoration, said: "It's a lot better than the last one...they managed to replace it very quickly.

"This one does look really, really good — probably one of the best ones we've had."

Resident Sue Fletcher said the new one was "much better" but admitted she felt "a bit sorry for the much-maligned original.

However, she said perhaps the baubles were on the large side — "a bit like footballs, aren't they?"

Daphyn Hopkisson, however, described it as "really beautiful - it's a beauty".

Some of the baubles being used have been donated by members of the town's Lithuanian community, with a local Poundland store donating others to spruce up this year's tree.

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