Fake Christmas tree is taken down

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A Dorset town's ridiculed fake Christmas tree - which was put up in place of a real fir amid safety fears - has been taken down.

Some residents likened the £14,000 fake tree in Poole to a "huge traffic cone" or "a witch's hat".

The 33ft (10m) tall "tree" had been chosen because of fears that a real one could topple over in strong winds.

The Dolphin Shopping Centre has donated a real fir tree which will be erected on Tuesday.

The fake tree was damaged in a suspected vandal attack last week and Dorset Police is studying town centre CCTV footage in connection with the incident.

It was made of turf held together by metal mesh and was chosen by the town centre management board.

Speakers hidden inside the tree had been due to play traditional Christmas carols.

The Borough of Poole had argued it was safer, sturdier and cheaper in the long run than a real tree, and that a Norwegian fir tree could topple over in strong winds.

It said people had complained about hoardings and guy ropes, necessary under health and safety rules, which had supported last year's real tree.