'Britain's worst Christmas tree' to be replaced

A Christmas tree branded the worst in the country will be replaced, it was announced today.

A living tree was planted in the middle of the County Durham village of Sacriston last month, with the intention that it would grow bigger over the years and provide an annual focal point for the festivities.

But the recent storms ripped around 2ft off its tip, leaving some villagers disappointed at its less than impressive dimensions.

Christmas lights have been erected on a metal tripod which reaches around three times the height of the little tree.

The display raised eyebrows when Only Fools And Horses star John Challis, who played Boysie, and James Baxter from Emmerdale officially switched on the lights on Monday night.

It led to complaints, with reports asking whether it was Britain's worst tree.

One onlooker said: "It's truly awful. It's not even in the middle of the frame.

"It looks like a twig stuck in the ground with Christmas lights stuck on a metal frame around it."

Durham County Council said Sacriston's tree will be replaced with another, living one.

A spokeswoman said: "We will be planting it as soon as possible.

"It is a tree we hope will be as strong as the community, who we feel sure will cherish it for many Christmases to come."

The idea for a permanent Christmas tree was part of a £300,000 regeneration of the village centre.

Not everyone was disappointed with the 4ft original, which is now for the chop.

Daniel Johnson, working at his father's chip shop opposite, said: "It looks a bit bare, but that's modern and artistic if you like that sort of thing."

The 22-year-old added: "It's a lot better than Peterlee's tree last year."

The Peterlee tree, also in County Durham, drew so much criticism last Christmas that a supplier took pity and replaced the poorly pine with a splendid spruce.

The original was described by a local councillor as looking like something found in a skip.