The wonky Greater Manchester Christmas tree branded the 'worst in the UK' by fuming locals

Fuming residents have branded their town's wonky Christmas tree the 'worst in the UK'. The 12ft slender spruce, in Bramhall, Stockport, was slammed by locals an “absolute disgrace” after it was planted ahead of Christmas.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council said the spruce, which is located on a roundabout, was chosen to “minimise the impact on road users”. And they said the tree, which was planted recently, would benefit the community for “many years to come” once it reached its full potential. But Zoe Gough, 64, who works at a supermarket facing the tree, said her customers had compared its odd shape to a "pipe cleaner".

She said: "I see it every day. Customers come in and see the tree and say 'What's that?' It's 'blink and you miss it'. People say it looks like a pipe cleaner. It's just there and it's wonky. I think it looks like it's had a bit too much to drink. The lights aren't very good on it. But it's made us laugh and it's better than nothing."

Social media users were enraged by the less-than-festive fir, which has almost no extended branches, with some saying the council had “declared war” on Christmas.

One wrote: “It is a disgrace this Christmas tree. Years ago it was really nice and colourful. It is probably the worst Christmas tree in the whole of the UK. Stockport spend stupid money on cycle paths. Go to Crewe Market Hall, the trees are lovely."

Another chimed: “It’s an absolute disgrace… They’ve got a beautiful tree outside St George’s Church, far better than the branch thing we’ve been subjected to."

It comes two weeks after another ‘living’ tree planted by a council in nearby Hattersley was slammed by locals who said it spruce look “half dead”. Looking for the positives, on social media user quipped that at least it wasn't as bad as that one.

They wrote: "I think it has a certain 'je ne sais quoi'. I like the colour and it is way better than the Hattersley tree.”

Another user, taking a more philosophical approach, said: “If its planted and alive, it will grow. Give it time. The great & good of this world were once children...”

A spokesperson from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council said: “The main Christmas tree in Bramhall is a tree provided each year in the centre of the village next to the church. The newly planted tree at Bramhall roundabout is a living picea omorika Serbian spruce tree - it replaces a dead tree and has not been intentionally planted as a Christmas tree but the community were keen to have lights on it.

“The tree will be there for many years to come and was chosen as it is an upright variety, to minimise the impact on road users. As the tree continues to grow over the years it will fill out and benefit the area for future generations by providing an essential habitat for wildlife.”