An Angus town centre is likely to be a little short on festive cheer this year after the winter weather put paid to its Christmas tree.
Arbroath community council is making plans to take down the tree, due to damage caused by hard frost and gale-force winds.
The group says it would have to find £300 to hire equipment to allow someone to get up high enough to fix the problems.
The tree went up before the Arbroath Christmas lights switch-on which happened on November 30.
The community council said: “Unfortunately due to the hard frost and then the tremendous winds the town’s Christmas tree is looking very sad.
“This is no fault of ourselves or the council – the weather has taken its toll this year.
“We have made the decision to have the tree taken down as the lights have also broken and without paying £300 to have a cherrypicker to take us to the top of the tree, where the lights are plugged into the box we have no way of trying to fix them.
“A new tree has been offered but again it would cost £300 to get the cherrypicker to come so we could put the lights on it.”
The spokesperson added: “We are all very upset about having to make this difficult decision, we have put a lot of work and hours into the lights this year.
“Next year we will get over all the hurdles we faced this year and make Arbroath shine.”
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Angus Council leader David Fairweather expressed his disappointment and sent out an appeal for a local business to play Santa and help to remedy the situation.
“The community council have done an amazing job getting the tree in place, and I would like to commend them, and everyone involved on their hard work,” he said.
“It is really unfortunate that particularly harsh weather has taken its toll, but the tree is a natural one, and these things can happen.
“I appreciate that we are getting close to Christmas day, but if any company or organisation felt able to assist, then I know that the whole community would be very grateful.”
