Christmas tree verdict: 'Absolutely pathetic!'

At a meeting of Ashfield District Council's Hucknall Area Partnership Group, the treewas slammed as "absolutely pathetic".

In a survey by the Dispatch to seek views about the tree, some claimed it was more like a bush.

The same sentiments were voiced at the group's meeting, with one resident saying the tree seemed so small that he thought he could have got it in his living room!

Claims were also made that the tree's lights only worked for "three-quarters of the time" and that Hucknall had been shamed by neighbouring Linby, which had a much more impressive tree.

The group agreed to contact the council's portfolio holder responsible for Christmas trees and ask for the town to be provided with a more acceptable one next Yuletide.

In contrast, members praised Hucknall's Christmas illuminations, which were boosted as part of a district-wide pot of money from the council.

But Coun John Wilmott, a Hucknall Labour member of the council, said he did not think the new lights had been colourful enough.