Civic leaders defend ‘scrawny’ tree

Civic leaders in a West market town have hit back at claims that the Christmas tree installed in the town centre is a bit “scrawny”.

A website for the town dared to question whether budget cuts had taken effect in Chippenham town centre when a 25ft tree was installed ready for a big Christmas lights switch-on this Friday. Chippenham People’s Lois Avery said: “I walked past it and couldn’t help but notice that it looked a bit scrawny. I imagine Christmas trees should be full and bushy – or so I thought. But ours looks a bit, well, forlorn – and it’s not December.”

Town council chief executive Sue Wilthew said: “Ours is a natural Christmas tree and people need to bear in mind that it’s not going to be a perfect artificial one.

“It’s symbolic and a lot of effort has been put into decorating it by the children from a local primary school. When the lights go on it, and they’re switched on on Friday, it will look wonderful.”