‘That’s one sad tree’: locals mock sorry-looking Christmas tree in Lancashire
The bedraggled fir, which stands at around 25ft, was supposed to bring some festive cheer to Darwen Market Square, ahead of the town's Christmas lights switch-on.
Council bosses have been left red-faced after their sorry-looking Christmas tree was mocked by locals as a festive flop.
The bedraggled fir, that stands at around 25ft, was supposed to bring some festive cheer to Darwen Market Square, ahead of the town's Christmas lights switch-on.
But residents were quick to point out its sparse, drooping branches, brown patches and large gaps in its foliage.
Some unimpressed locals compared it to a drunken pub-goer and questioned whether the council had been given half a tree.
Councillor Matt Jackson said he was first alerted to the problem when a resident sent him a photograph with the caption "this is truly terrible".
He said: "I just got a text about the tree that basically said 'what the hell is that?'.
"It's quite a sorry-looking tree.
"I thought it might look better if the branches dropped slightly and it got decorated.
"But the more I looked at it, the more I thought: crickey."
Council bosses have admitted the tree is a disappointment and promised to replace it before Saturday's (November 14) big festive celebrations.
A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "How many times have you ordered something, only for it to arrive and not be quite what you were expecting?
"Sadly, this has happened to us with the Christmas tree for Darwen Market Square."
The council confirmed its contractor had agreed to provide a replacement at no extra cost, with the new tree expected to be installed today (Wednesday).
In response, one resident said: "That's one sad tree. How much was it? A fiver?"
Another said: "It's been in the Bridge for a few pints before staggering to the square."
A third added: "Where's the other half?"
The sorry-looking spectacle also sparked sympathy from some locals, with one commenting: "Poor tree, stop all this body shaming!"
The council insisted it had spent months preparing to make sure Darwen had the best possible festive centrepiece.
It said: "Of course, we want Darwen to have a beautiful tree in the Market Square. We plan months in advance to make sure we secure the best tree available."
The tree came just days before thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the square for the town's Christmas lights switch-on.
Saturday's celebrations will include live music, festive markets, fairground rides and family entertainment.