Safety fears over Christmas tree

Health and safety fears have stopped a group of volunteers from putting up a Christmas tree in an Essex town.

The Walton Forum has criticised Tendring District Council's decision to block the move over safety concerns.

The group wanted to put a 26ft (7.9m) high tree close to the seafront in Walton-on-the-Naze.

However the council ruled it would not be stable and could pose a risk to the public. It said it was attempting to find a compromise.

We wanted to put a steel tube in the ground to put the tree in but the council said they wanted it put in a 20-tonne concrete foundation John Halls, forum volunteer

John Halls, a 76-year-old volunteer at the forum, which organises festivities in the town, said: "It's health and safety gone stupid.

"All we wanted to do was liven up the town and help the shopkeepers for the festive season.

"We wanted to put a steel tube in the ground to put the tree in but the council said they wanted it put in a 20-tonne concrete foundation.

"That would cost about £1,500 and we don't have that sort of money."

Nigel Brown, a spokesman for the council, said the authority was hoping to discuss a suitable alternative with the forum so the £400 tree could be put on show.

He said: "We're not saying they can't have a Christmas tree - just not in that place with that fixing.

"It's close to the seafront and so is quite susceptible to the wind.

"We're the landowner for the site and, should the tree come down and hurt someone, it would be us that would be liable and not the forum."