The borough’s main Christmas tree was taken down just two days after December 25.

Successful Sutton, which aims to increase the attractiveness of the area, said it made the decision to take the tree down after it was damaged by vandals.

The Christmas lights and tree were funded through 'Christmas Lights' scheme  and cost about £38,000 with the council forwarding less than 50 per cent of the overall amount.

The artificial tree can be seen in the Mayor of Sutton’s Christmas address.

Successful Sutton previously paid thousands of pounds to repair a Christmas tree after it had been vandalised dozens times by passers-by in previous years.

A homeless person had even been found to be living under the tree in December 2015.

But, the decision to remove the tree was questioned by Sutton residents and councillors on Twitter.


A Successful Sutton spokesman said: “For quite a few years we have had a real tree that sat in the middle of Sutton High Street.

“But last year we decided to increase the investment in Christmas lights and when we looked at the cost in its entirety we decided to get an artificial tree. The model we went for is metal and is hollow and has electrical wiring going through it.

“Unfortunately, within a week of it going up there were people taking lights and parts of the tree down and someone was seen climbing up it. Once the repair bill neared £1,000 we said ‘that’s enough’ and decided that we should take the tree down.”

In Britain Christmas trees and decorations are traditionally taken down to mark the Christian feast day of Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night, on either January 5, or January 6.

It is considered by some to be unlucky to keep them up for longer.

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