Town's tiny Christmas tree to be replaced

A town square Christmas tree is to be replaced after the estate which provided it acknowledged it "did not meet everybody's expectations".

Many people took to social media to complain that the usual centrepiece of Alnwick's Christmas lights display was smaller than usual.

Northumberland Estates, which donates a tree to the town every year, said it has "sourced an alternative" which will be put up on Sunday.

Gordon Castle, president of Alnwick Christmas Lights Committee, said: "We don't specify a size and we are very grateful to the Duke of Northumberland."

Alnwick’s illuminations and Christmas tree are put up by a group of volunteers who work for six months each year to provide the town with its display.

Mr Castle said: "There were a lot of comments on social media with people suggesting it was rather small.

"We have already decorated the tree but I do recognised this year’s tree was perhaps not as full as those in previous years.

"We will have to take the decorations off the old one and then redecorate the new one once it goes up on Sunday."

Northumberland Estates donates 70 trees to schools, churches, local organisations and the town of Alnwick.

In a statement it said: "We are proud to work alongside the Alnwick Lights Committee and its dedicated volunteers to help celebrate the town’s festive spirit.

"We are committed to ensuring the community takes pride in the display and, as such, we have rehomed the original tree and sourced an alternative, which we hope will better capture the town's festive spirit."

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