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It was compared to a stack of Ferrero Rocher and prompted ridicule when it was a third of its promised height.

But now it can be revealed Cardiff’s artificial Christmas tree may not see the light of day again.

The decoration, which was unveiled last November to derision after it was unveiled to be 40ft tall rather than the promised 40m, cost Cardiff council £10,000 a year for three years.

That deal, struck with Lancashire-based private company MK Illumination, was criticised by some who said the council should have invested in a real and locally-sourced tree.

There were also red faces when the tree – which had been promoted before its installation as being 40m tall, or higher than the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro – was instead just 40ft.

Officers had ordered a tree with 'an exclusive design'

Documents released under freedom of information laws show a Cardiff council officer filled in a pre-tender report in which it was written that a 40m “bespoke Christmas tree...in an exclusive design” had been ordered.

However responses from MK Illumination show the tree was only going to be 12m (39ft) high.

But after a number of negative responses to the decoration’s unveiling, Cardiff council now says it is investigating bringing back a real tree from this year.

(Image: Jon Candy/Flickr)

A spokesman for the authority said: “Since the publicity around Cardiff’s artificial Christmas tree the city council has received several offers from potential sponsors to cover the full costs of a real Christmas tree for 2017.

“The city council is contracted to MK Illumination for a further two years and has begun negotiations to swap out the artificial tree for other illuminations which could be used around the castle, like the reindeer lights.

“It is worth pointing out that the city council’s Christmas offer – including the Christmas market, Winter Wonderland, the tree, festive lights, and decorations across the city centre – was delivered by the council at a net cost to the taxpayer of circa £18,000 in 2016.

“This is down from £220,000 which was spent in 2011, highlighting how the city council is working to deliver value for money for the taxpayer.

This was the other option for last year's Christmas tree

“We would like to make clear that all decisions made on festive decorations were made by council officers. Politicians are not involved in any of the decisions.

“An internal error meant the artificial tree in Castle Street last Christmas was advertised as being 40m tall but when a contract was agreed with supplier MK Illumination it was only ever for a structure that was 10m tree on a 2m base (or just under 40ft) tall and this is what was paid for.”

The documents released also show a number of other proposals for the decorations outside Cardiff castle, including one which consists of a giant cone complete with only a few – but huge – baubles.