How a wonky Christmas tree put March on the map

A wonky Christmas tree that has grabbed international attention has "put March on the map", according to locals.

The 30ft (9m) high tree in March, Cambridgeshire, has a pronounced lean at the top, with some liking it to the leaning tower of Pisa.

People and businesses around the town have shared their love for the tree, which has inspired copycat displays.

Sarah Lemmon, March town clerk, is hopeful the tree-haters have "been converted".

The tree has made headlines since being installed on the Market Place this month.

Dozens of residents had commented on a photo of the tree on a local Facebook group when it was first put up, with many publicly mocking it.

However, many have since seen the funny side - and are enjoying the unexpected attention the Fenland town has received.

"It's crazy how it has gone global," said Ms Lemmon.

"I've had friends emailing and messaging from Australia and New Zealand, and people putting up wonky tress in solidarity.

"It's been lovely."

She added: "It's put March on the map and for that I'm happy.

"What started as a negative has turned into something really rather nice and hopefully we've converted the haters.

"We live in a world now where we accepting and celebrating our flaws, quirks and imperfections. And our tree is imperfectly perfect."

Joe Simpson, who works at a butchers in the town, said he was overwhelmed by the response he got after putting the shop's own Christmas tree at an angle.

"I thought everyone is moaning about it - it doesn't look bad and [we] might as well embrace it, so I did [it] at work and then [did it] at home too," he said.

"I can't believe how far it's gone for a little Cambridgeshire Fenland town and it's pretty much everywhere.

"There's a lot of doom and gloom, a lot of bad things happening, and to have a little laugh at Christmas time go so far and wide, it's great."

Meanwhile, Kelly Bloss, a local resident, added the tree and the attention it had brought the town was "superb".

She said: "It's making everyone smile. Even people that didn't like it, it's turning them around.

"We like to be placed on a map for something positive rather than the negative news on the planet at the minute."

Nicky Hensley, owner of a restaurant that is next to the famous tree, was so inspired by it that she created a green cocktail in its honour, containing vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice and lemonade.

She said the tree seemed to be good for business, with more people coming out to see it and then popping in for a drink or something to eat.

"It's nice to appreciate something so quirky in the difficult world we live in at the minute - it's lovely, just a breath of fresh air," she said

Meanwhile, neighbouring Fenland town, Chatteris, has joined the debate and said they "pride ourselves at trying to get things right".

Chair of Chatteris Christmas Lights, Chris Savill, added: "The volunteers of Chatteris Christmas Lights erected on Saturday not one, but two 30-foot Christmas trees, in the traditional manner bolt upright."

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