AN ANGRY backlash from residents has prompted a council to improve its ‘embarrassing’ Christmas tree.

Some said the tree 'looked like something Delboy and Rodney would do', while others called on the yarn bombers to knit some better decorations.

Darlington Borough Council even had to warn a group of people who had arranged to meet at the town tree on Friday to improve it, not to cross the barriers in case of an accident.

Now the council has ordered extra lights and promised to add them later this week, while also repositioning the lights, after thousands of comments and complaints on social media.

The lights have been draped on to the tree, on Joseph Pease Place, High Row, from above, rather than being wrapped around it.

Diane Galloway said on Facebook: “The lights in Darlington could look ok if they were draped around the tree rather than being hung and dumped from the top of it.”

Louise Hewitt added: "Everyone should just go and hang random decorations on it, it might look a bit better then."

A group of disgruntled townspeople had agreed to meet at the tree on Friday to improve it, sparking a warning from the council of the dangers of crossing the barrier as it promised to improve it.

There were some plans to visit the pound shop for cheap decorations and to hang them on the branches of the tree.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “We would like to thank residents for the comments regarding the Christmas tree.

"Additional Christmas tree lights have been ordered and will be added when they arrive later this week.

"We will also reposition the original lights, which hopefully, will help improve the final look.”

Another comment on social media said: "That tree is comedy gold, like something Delboy and Rodney would do."

While others said the way it had been decorated was 'a waste of a beautiful tree'.

However, others said that the tree looked the same as it did last year.

"If I'm not mistaken, isn't the tree decorated like this every year?" said one woman.

"I don't understand why everyone's so surprised."

Another said it was the same a previous years.

Others branded it an 'embarrassment' and a 'disgrace'.

Angela Sinclair added: "We are making a fuss because for once Darlington Borough Council should give the people of Darlington a bright Christmas tree instead of being behind."

"Should have gone to Specsavers," said another.