U-turn made over town centre tree (From Warrington Guardian)

U-turn made over town centre tree

RESIDENTS' demands for some festive cheer in Crewe town centre have forced killjoy council bosses into a Christmas u-turn.

Borough council chiefs had said they would be providing 'better lights' and 'living trees' this year as an environment alternative to a big tree costing £1,200 and 'ending its days in a woodchipper'.

But property trust Wulvern Housing has paid for a 35-foot tree for the town square, to be officially unveiled in a second switch-on ceremony at 4.30pm on Friday 10 December.

Head of the council's direct service David Marren explained: "We had decided that the money for the tree would be better invested into a number of other things.

"However, we are a council that listens to feedback from the public and we had a number of people write in about the situation.

"Because of that we decided to provide a tree and just as we had made the decision, Wulvern - which had also heard the complaints - kindly offered to sponsor the tree."

Rudolph, Santa, his elves, and the Christmas fairy will be joining the Mayor and Mayoress at tomorrow's

seasonal celebrations.

Wulvern staff and customers will portray festive characters, providing entertainment along with carol singers and the West End dance troupe Renaissance.