Christmas trees will light up Colchester town centre this festive season with the council deciding to get caught up in the spirit of the season.

As part of Colchester Council's Better Colchester campaign, the six trees will be installed in Cowdray Crescent, Culver Square, Lion Walk, Firstsite, Mercury Theatre and on the balcony of the Town Hall.

Last year, many residents accused the council of being Scrooges for not having a Christmas tree in the town.

However it was announced in August members of the authority’s ruling cabinet had opted to focus this year's festivities on the town centre, instead of hosting a return of the successful Demon Xtreme Ice Slide or the like.

All of the trees will be installed overnight on Sunday November 18, before being decorated a few days later.

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Five of the trees will be lit up for the first time on Sunday, November 25, as part of the town’s wider switch-on activity, and the sixth will be lit on Wednesday, November 28, as part of the Lion Walk switch-on activity.

Most of the trees will be 4.8 metres tall, with the Cowdray Crescent plant being a real whopper at just under 10 metres.

Each will feature a different decorative theme, ranging from string and baubles in yellow and gold, to mixed lighting and decorative parcels and bows.

Tim Young, councillor responsible for business and culture, said: "We’re really pleased to be adding even more festive cheer to Colchester this year, by investing in some beautiful Christmas trees.

"We hope they are enjoyed by all the residents and visitors to Colchester.

"They’ll no doubt add even more to Colchester’s excellent Christmas offering.

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"The trees will be recycled after they are taken down in the New Year.”

Better Colchester is a two-year action plan to help the council meet its strategic objections of making Colchester a better place to live, work in and visit.

A total of £2 million in funding has been set aside for the project.