A COUNTY Durham village has started Christmas celebrations early this year after plans to install a festive tree for the first time in decades were revealed.

Residents in Gainford, Teesdale, are set to see the tree spring up in the village after the parish council agreed to grant a request by a resident to see it lit up for this year’s festive season.

The Christmas tree will be about ten to 12 feet tall and the council are hoping to approach Raby Estates for one to be donated as they currently do with other Teesdale communities such as Barnard Castle.

Gainford Parish Council clerk, Martin Clark, said he could not recall there being a tree in the village before but he had been told by long-standing residents that there had been one once.

“The residents are pleased to see it come back again,” he said.

“Over the last couple of years the council have had people discuss it but this time, a gentleman came into the December meeting and actually formally asked if the council would consider it.

Mr Clark said a location for the tree had initially been suggested as the Old Lord Nelson Island, but other residents had suggested the village green. A final decision will be made at the council’s AGM on May 16.

Mr Clark said councillors were fully behind the project.

“It was unanimous with councillors saying it’s time we did it,” he said.

“Gainford is one of the few villages that still has Father Christmas go round and give treats to the children thanks to some great volunteers and I think councillors see the introduction of a tree to be adding to that festive feel in the village.”

The initial cost of the project, which will include paying to install the feeder pillar and get all the electric works installed, is £4,000.

The council has agreed to set aside £2,000 from their reserves while County Councillors George Richardson and Councillor James Rowlandson have both contributed £1,000 towards the project from their Neighbourhood Budgets.

Cllr Richardson praised the project and said: “James and I were both keen to support it and we think it will be a grand addition to the village.”