James replaces Ottery Christmas tree after its branded ‘worst in Britain’

Helpers arrived at 8am to help James Trevett replace the tree outside Ottery Library after it was branded the worst tree in Britian on social media. (Image: Archant)

Quick-thinking James Trevett restored Christmas spirit by replacing the tree outside the library on Sunday after he spotted posts slamming its appearance.

Pictures of the original fir had caused a storm on social media hitting national headlines to be branded the worst tree in Britain.

With a team of helpers, both big and small, James set to work Sunday morning to decorate a new tree.

The father-of-one from Sidmouth said: “We should all be able to have these amazing trees that make our towns look nice.

“It was quite shameful how many people were quick to slag it off. It wasn’t a textbook pretty tree but someone had put time and effort into decorating it and worked with the best they had.

“The worst tree in Britain is no longer that, what has materialised is the town coming together and making the best of a bad situation.”

The fir was a ‘gift to the town’ organised by the Pixie Day Committee ahead of the annual carols around the tree service.

Richard Coley, who has been involved with selecting and putting up the tree for nearly 20 years, said the committee is donated the fir from someone’s garden or bought for a small price.

He said: “We are usually given a tree out of people’s garden but there wasn’t any this year. When we got the tree we thought it was a bit thin, we decided to put it up, people didn’t like it but instead of just moaning they did something about it and that’s a good thing.”

A tree has already been organised for next year and the 81-year-old said he would be looking for someone to take over the running of the event to keep it going.

The annual carols by the tree will take place outside the library on Tuesday, December 19, at 7pm.