U-turn after Great Coates Christmas tree row

Local youths started a petition against the decision

Councillors who were labelled "scrooges" after voting against putting up a village Christmas tree have reversed their decision.

For the past three years the tree has been erected in Great Coates, North East Lincolnshire, to mark the start of village festivities.

Residents started a petition after the village council voted against having a tree last month.

The council said the tree would now be put up in early December.

A majority of councillors voted against having a tree at last month's village council meeting.

The decision brought criticism on air from Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, who said: "Who votes no to a Christmas tree? Answer: A Scrooge."

Hundreds of residents then signed a petition which was started by Great Coates Young People's Council.

Council clerk Kathy Nunn said she was uncertain as to why councillors originally decided to withdraw the tree.

She said East Ravendale farm had offered to donate a tree to the village free of charge and the council had agreed to fund the lights, which would cost £825.

Ms Nunn said: "The councillors present at the meeting felt that the public had overwhelmingly demonstrated its wish to have a tree in the village and thus the councillors rescinded their previous decision based on this."