Vandalised fake Christmas tree to be replaced
THE town mocked for putting up a bizarre fake Christmas tree likened to a giant traffic cone is to replace it with a traditional fir after it was wrecked by angry protesters.
The fake conical tree in Poole, Dorset, was ruined when chunks of artificial turf were torn from its framework.
The 33ft-tall tree, which cost £14,000 and was paid for by private cash, was put up for health and safety reasons amid fears that a proper tree might blow over.
But more than 4,000 furious residents joined a huge Facebook campaign calling for the artificial tree to be removed, with some threatening to burn it down.
The tree will now be taken away for repairs and replaced by a 30ft traditional fir tree, donated by a local shopping centre.
The U-turn will delight protesters. One said: “How did they think they could get away with a cone with fake turf on it? Either have a proper tree or don’t have one at all.”
Police are studying CCTV footage in a bid to catch the vandals.