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Is this Christmas tree in Margate's Cecil Square the worst in Kent?

00:00, 07 December 2016

updated: 11:21, 07 December 2016

Residents are wondering where the Christmas spirit is after this tree was erected.

The sorry sight has been put up in Cecil Square, Margate and people have been commenting on social media about the lack of decoration.

Julia Gipson tweeted KentOnline to say: "This is Margate's Christmas tree on the right many are not happy with it what a shambles."

The Christmas tree in Cecil Square
The Christmas tree in Cecil Square

Another passerby, Kellie Armstrong, said: "The tree itself is lovely but the decorations are a bit poor."

But Paula Spencer from the office of The Mayor and Charter Trustees of Margate defended the tree: "It has lights on which of course, with most lights, they look better at night but I am aware there are not any other decorations.

"I would say go down at night and have a look at it, it looks nice.

"We did our best in a very short space of time. We have worked hard to provide a tree for the people of Margate, without the Charter Trustees there would not be a tree."

"It is a beautiful tree.

"This is the first year we have done this, it is meant to bring a little bit of cheer to the square at Christmas."

The sighting comes just days after people slated the Christmas tree in nearby Cliftonville, which was "imprisoned" by a metal cage.

Shoppers took to social media after seeing the town's festive tree behind bars in Northdown Road.

The tree in nearby Cliftonville
The tree in nearby Cliftonville

The high metal fence which surrounds the tree is decorated with advertisements for businesses in the area.

But the Margate tree has taken some of the flak which just a few years ago was directed towards Herne Bay.

The Herne Bay Christmas tree was replaced in 2012... with this
The Herne Bay Christmas tree was replaced in 2012... with this

In 2012 the tree in the seaside town was dubbed the "worst in Britain".

But, after national coverage, it drew even more attention, when passersby said it was replaced with an even worse specimen.

The Dymchurch tree came under fire in 2014
The Dymchurch tree came under fire in 2014

It was replaced a year later with a 20ft tree, after an £8,000 donation from a developer.

Meanwhile, in 2014, Dymchurch's Christmas tree was branded the worst in Kent.

In that year, it was a small specimen mounted on a bit of tree stump.

Is this Kent's worst Christmas tree? If you've seen a worse one, send us the evidence to news@thekmgroup.co.uk

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