And Finally...Poole's artificial Christmas tree replaced after residents protest

By James Shepherd on Dec 9, 09 01:33 PM in News

Locals are delighted after their town's £14,000 artificial tree, dubbed a "giant traffic cone" and a "witch's hat", was yesterday replaced by a Norway spruce.

Town crier David Squire said: "I am delighted. You can't go up to an artificial tree and smell the beautiful pine needles."

Five thousand people joined an internet protest group condemning the original tree, which had no branches or decorations.

The Mirror revealed how it was erected in Poole, Dorset, amid council fears that a traditional fir could blow over in the wind and cause damage. But it was taken down after it was vandalised by a late-night reveller.

A local shopping centre then splashed out £4,000 on a traditional 30ft replacement.

Delighted local Lynn Fancy said yesterday: "Ding-dong, the witch's hat is dead. Woo-hoo, bring on the needles."

Weymouth and Portland Council in Dorset has refused to put up its Christmas lights - in case the lampposts give way and they fall on someone.