A CHRISTMAS tree in a Darlington shopping centre will be blessed when it is taken down in tribute to the scores of people who left messages for loved ones.

The 'Giving to Life' tree, in the Cornmill Centre, will be taken down early in the new year, after almost £7,000 in donations were made by shoppers to the town's St Teresa's Hospice.

However, many people hung messages for absent loved ones on the branches, and organisers are keen to show that has not been forgotten, and so a blessing will take place as a mark of respect.

Jane Bradshaw, director of St Teresa's Hospice, said: "The Giving to Life tree blessing has become somewhat of a tradition for St Teresa's and it is definitely something that has become very important to us.

"The tree is a place for people to leave touching and heartfelt messages to loved ones that they can't be with at Christmas time and it simply wouldn't feel right to just take it down.

"We hold the blessing to honour all those who have left messages and as a mark of respect for those they are writing to."

The blessing will be held at the tree in the Cornmill Centre on Thursday, January 5, at 10.30am.