IT was described as a dunce’s hat and a bit of rolled carpet while being branded the worst Christmas tree in Britain.

Stockton was subjected to national ridicule for the artificial cone-shaped tree erected in the town's High Street as part of last year's festive decorations.

Now an anonymous message in the decorative form of an embroidery has been left for the Stockton’s mayor demanding: “After last year’s fiasco are we to get a proper tree this Christmas?”

Last December the local authority said it did not have room for its usual 40ft spruce due to the multi-million pound redevelopment of its high street but promised it would make a return in 2014.

Mayor Barbara Inman is keen to reassure the mystery sewer that a traditional tree will be the centre piece of the town's display this year - and is appealing for the crafter to come forward so the "stunning and spectacular" festivities can be explained.,

“It’s a wonderful embroidery. Somebody has clearly gone to a lot of trouble to make it and I’m happy to tell them their wish will be granted as we have some spectacular festive plans,” said the mayor who found the needlework hanging on Stockton Town Hall.

“Last Christmas Stockton Town Centre was a building site but now its physical regeneration is almost finished.

“The design of the newly transformed high street will mean that the town centre can accommodate special lighting and effects so we will have some stunning festive decorations this year as a thank you to all the residents, visitors, shoppers and businesses that have been so patient whilst the works have been carried out.”

Last year’s 20ft cone with illuminated snowflake designs was gifted by developers working on town centre improvements, while real trees were erected nearby in Wellington Square, Castlegate Centre and The Shambles.

It was derided on social networking site, Facebook, prompting father and son Graham and Craig Harker who run the George pub on Stockton High Street to buy their own traditional tree for the town.

Today Craig Harker said: “It’s great news that there is going to be a proper tree after what happened last year. The regeneration work that has been done on the town centre is really paying off and all the work outside our pub is finished and looks fantastic.

“We are happy though that we will not have to buy our own tree this year, hopefully it will bring community spirit back to the town centre.”

The mystery embroiderer can get in touch with the Mayor by calling 01642-527064.