'Disappointing' Christmas tree being raised

A Christmas tree in Guersey's Market Square is being put on a raised platform following a number of complaints about its size.

Organisers decided to decorate and display a tree that had been locally grown instead of importing one from the UK.

However, some islanders described it to the BBC as "small" and "disappointing".

Sonia Taylor, director of Bailiwick Estates Limited, the managing agents for the market buildings, said: "It's slightly disappointing it's not as tall as the tree we had last year. However, we should accept that this tree was grown locally."

Father Christmas is set to visit the island on Saturday for the annual Town lights switch-on, where the tree is usually the centre of a parade and presentations.

But one person told the BBC that the tree was "disappointing compared to previous years".

Ms Taylor said "the disappointment doesn't go unnoticed", so organisers had "decided to take it down, build a platform and raise the tree up".

Despite concerns the tree was smaller due to costs, Ms Taylor reassured the "deciding factor" was to "keep it local" rather than get one from the UK.

She said the UK trees were "30% to 40% more expensive than last year" but reiterated that that "wasn't the deciding factor".

Passerby Roberto told the BBC: "It's lovely to just see decoration... but it's important for next year to improve."

While islander Paulina said the tree "lifts you a bit at a rubbish time of year".

Ms Taylor thanked the volunteers who had helped make "the tree more visible."

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