A COUNCILLOR'S proposal to trim down the cost of Christmas has failed to win support.

David Bell told this week's Hurworth parish council meeting that he was concerned about the cost of having a tree on the village green.

It costs up to £800 to have the tree and Councillor Bell proposed either scrapping it or making changes.

"Why don't we have a tree without lights, like the traditional displays in Scandinavia?" he suggested.

The idea was rejected by other councillors.

Coun Meg Naylor said: "We can't have the village green without a tree. Can you imagine the reaction of the people of Hurworth?"