The heavily criticised Largs Christmas tree has sparked a social media campaign for members of the public to ‘donate a bauble’ to cheer it up!

There has been an avalanche of criticism on Facebook with over 130 people calling for improvements to the focal point in Tron Place.

North Ayrshire Council supplied and installed the Christmas tree which is on display at Main Street, Largs. The tree cost £150 and is decorated in five sets of lights which cost £500.

Readers on the Largs ‘News’ Facebook page had asked why the town could not provide something similar to the impressive Kilbirnie Christmas tree and decorations, but they were donated by a local couple.

One of the many critics of the Tron Place tree was Caroline Le Good Morgan who said: “It’s the saddest and most pathetic town centre tree I have ever seen which is why we are trying to improve it with donated baubles from the townsfolk.” Ms Toni Dawson, assistant director of the Largs BID business group, is hoping that the community can rally round for a bigger and better Christmas tree next year.

Toni said: “I complained to North Ayrshire Council and arranged to have the lights fixed. The BID has a budget for Xmas and Yuletide each year and I’m afraid it’s all gone. It would be helpful to get together next year so that we could provide something far better.” Toni added that there is a range of financial options that could be pursued including the Largs seafront car park fund in order to spruce up the celebrations for next year.

She added: “The BID has a limited budget for Xmas: Santa’s Grotto, fireworks, Yuletide, permits, licensing and marketing etc. It’s very costly for decorations and we paid for some last year but there’s still a lot of liaising to be done with the Roads Department, and NAC to get the go ahead unfortunately. The fireworks were requested by a lot of people for this year, and were considered to be a great success.

“This tree could be professionally dressed next year, and there could be a new community fund started around the schools and churches etc to: “Donate A Bauble” and yes, let’s have a proper switching on ceremony.”