Furious locals have slammed council killjoys who are set to chop down an estate’s makeshift Christmas tree.
Residents in Nunsthorpe, Grimsby, gave a tree a festive makeover with a difference but now face losing it due to a decision by town hall bossed.
Locals described the tree as a ‘harmless’ joke and did it because they had no official Christmas tree and simultaneously dealt with the issue of littering too.
Instead of using tinsel, residents decorated the tree with beer cans and bottles.
Topping branches with empty cans and bottles of beer they used plastic bags too as the remains of some Christmas bunting hung limply on the shrub.
At first North East Lincolnshire Council decided to keep the tree in place until after Christmas after locals asked.
But they have now decided it is an ‘eyesore’ and ‘hazard’ as residents keep throwing rubbish around it.
However, despite its unusual decorations locals were furious after the council’s announcement.
A video of the tree was shared on social media. On it, one person commented: “Better than just being thrown all over the streets - harmless fun I'd say.”
Another wrote: “Council should cut it all back and empty the bins more often it won't look so messy even at the back of the shops and flats.
“What a disgrace for our children to see they ought to be ashamed.”
And a third posted: “Maybe if you don't like it then stop throwing cans and bottles everywhere put them in the bin, that's a good statement I think.”
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “This started out as a few decorations on the tree in the middle of this shrubbery.
"We recently pruned the other shrubs nearby but people in the area said we could leave this one until after Christmas as it looked quite nice.
"Unfortunately, it’s now overloaded with bottles and cans and has become an eyesore and a hazard. We will be clearing the litter and cutting back the shrubbery in the next few days.”
