SPECTATOR first noticed it in passing a year ago on his travels, was fascinated by its indescribable beauty, and looks forward to seeing it again before long.

Fibre optic Christmas trees are two a penny these days, but Spectator had never seen a changing light quite like that before. A tall tree in the front window bathed the living room of a comfortable house in Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, in a bright but peaceful, almost ethereal, glow. It was as if the Star of Bethlehem had been multiplied a thousand times.

It must have cost a pretty penny and its makers might not have thought of it in this way, but it occurred to the philosophical Spectator that the general effect had rather more in common with the Biblical vision of a child in a manger than any number of flashing bulbs, 8ft illuminated Santas or red-nosed reindeers made from cheap plastic.

Spectator has yet to see the point in decorating the entire exterior of houses, in an attempt to outdo neighbours in some crass form of Christmas competition, so that ultimately they resemble nothing more than cheap amusement arcades. Like nude calendars, the craze has outlived its welcome.

Let such meaningless nonsense remain in America, where it appears to have begun and where it still belongs, along with hideous multiplex cinemas.

Biosecurity alert

ALL manner of things are received in the post by this newspaper - the village show secretary who decided to send in the results on the 25 heavy wooden boards used on the showfield springs to mind.

Another time a large box of contraceptives arrived. Who do people think we are?

But last week our esteemed farming editor was a little taken aback to receive an envelope sternly marked "Biosecurity Precaution: We advise you not to take this envelope within the perimeter fence of your pig unit"

Mildly alarmed, he swiftly brought the envelope to the editor's office (well, what else are editors for?) to open it.

Gingerly and with some trepidation, it was teased open to reveal a packet of bacon with a compliments slip from a public relations company.

The farming editor looks forward to consuming the bacon - but not with his pigs of course.