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The Christmas tree branded “the worst in Britain" was gifted to Stockton Council, the Gazette can reveal.

Stockton town centre’s Christmas tree has been given the thumbs down by residents.

The 20ft-tall white “tree” was put up in the town centre last week.

And since then residents have ridiculed the festive decoration.

But Stockton Council Leader, Councillor Bob Cook , has since said the "cone-shaped feature" was gifted to the council by the contractors carrying out the regeneration work on the High Street.

“We understand that some of our residents are disappointed that it is not possible for us to have our usual 40ft tree in Stockton High Street this year but there are trees in other town centre locations including Wellington Square, the Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Shambles," he said.

“We would appeal to people to look at the bigger picture.

"We are in the middle of a multi-million pound transformation of the High Street and the tree’s usual location, along with the foundations needed to house it, are currently undergoing redevelopment works.

“We know that a traditional Christmas tree always makes a great centrepiece and new foundations will be installed as part of these works, which will allow us to bring our usual Christmas tree back to the new-look High Street next year.

"We look forward to its return.

“In the meantime, the contractor delivering the works has kindly gifted a number of Christmas decorations for display in the town centre.

"Among them is a 20ft cone with illuminated snowflake designs, which we have put in place in the vicinity of the construction works rather than leaving this part of the High Street bare.

“There’s plenty going on in the town centre this Christmas , including our 12-day Christmas market, ice sculptures, late night shopping and street theatre with dance and musical performances.”

poll loading Which of the four Christmas trees is best? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Redcar Middlesbrough (Centre Square) Middlesbrough (Linthorpe Road) Stockton

Residents have taken to social networking site Facebook to vent their feelings about the white illuminated cone.

And one resident had one simple message for the council: “They shouldn’t have even bothered.”

Another Stockton resident said: “Ashamed is an understatement.”