Disappointment as town’s tree snapped in half during Christmas eve climb attempt

Just hours earlier a young man was filmed attempting to climb to the top of the tree and falling off to his apparent injury.

The video was widely shared on social media and the destruction of the tree has since been blasted as wanton vandalism.

Townsfolk took to Facebook to share their disappointment on Christmas day, after the town’s community council broke the news saying: “The town Christmas tree has been ‘damaged’. We will try to sort it as soon as possible. Thank you.”

Wooden memory stars, placed on the tree by townsfolk, have since been gathered up and hung on the fence.

Today, Friday, December 27, the tree, provided by Scottish Borders Council, remains in place, with nobody at the council available to answer our enquiry over when or if it will be removed and replaced.

Most staff at the local authority are out of office until Monday, January 6.

Police Scotland said they are not currently aware of the incident.