THE Forestry Commission has stepped in to replace a Christmas tree dubbed the worst in Britain.

The sorry-looking tree in Peterlee, County Durham, will be replaced by a handsome specimen grown in the heart Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland.

Since it was erected in Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee, the foliage-challenged tree, which was supplied privately, has attracted barbed comments and even made international news headlines for its less than shapely form.

Now forest chiefs have come to the rescue with a 20 foot Norway spruce.

The tree will be delivered over the next 24 hours and will be put up straight away, offering shoppers a more fitting symbol of Yuletide goodwill.

Alex MacLennan, Tourism and Communities Manager with the Forestry Commission, said: "We have been growing trees in Hamsterley for decades and we take a lot of pride in our Christmas trees. "We acted in double quick time so that people in Peterlee can share in the festive spirit and enjoy a handsome specimen full of fragrance and forest freshness."

The tree will be transported free of charge and will be supplied at cost price. Mike Weston, Castle Dene Shopping Centre Manager, added: "We'll get the tree up in ten minutes when it arrives. We are thrilled to take up this offer. I've even been texted from as far afield as Egypt about the old tree, but it's now destined for recycling into mulch."