A TREE decorated with Christmas baubles has been capturing walkers' imaginations passing through Paddington Meadows. 

While mystery surrounds how or why the tradition started, the tree has been looking festive for the past couple of years with new additions every December.  

Dog walker Matt Wetherill added: "This small hawthorn tree has been secretly decorated by someone (or a few different people - who knows...) before Christmas for several years.

"It started in a small way but in the last two years, the Christmas fairy has made a really nice job of it with more, fresh decorations every year.

"I love seeing it and look forward to when it's freshened up each Christmas."

But anyone thinking about making a contribution in the future is being urged to decorate it with bird feeders instead.

Clr Ian Johnson, chairman of Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council, said: "Last year it overspilled to a second tree but regular Meadows walkers decided to have an eco tree with bird feed balls on.

"We don't wish to encourage more people to bring them as the plastic and glass type balls eventually fall off and get broken on the ground, becoming dangerous for wildlife and dogs.

"If people want to decorate a tree it would be much better to do it with bird feeders."

Do you know why walkers first decorated this tree with Christmas baubles?

Email hannah.bargery@nqnw.co.uk if you can help solve the mystery.