A town’s Christmas tree has been axed amid “financial challenges”.
Residents and visitors walking into Worthing will not be greeted by the festive pine outside the town hall this year.
Worthing Borough Council said it had decided to “focus” this year’s festive display in the “heart” of the town.
The usual lit-up present and tree are in Warwick Street.
And a Christmas tree is once again stationed in Montague Street.
Worthing's Christmas tree in Montague Street (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)
A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: “This year we’ve decided to focus our festive display in the heart of the town centre where it can be enjoyed by the maximum number of people.
“Our Christmas tree is standing proudly in Montague Street, surrounded by the wonderful festive display organised by Worthing Town Centre Initiative.
“We’re facing difficult financial challenges like every council across the country, so will be focusing our resources on our frontline services, like keeping the town centre clean for our many visitors.
“We hope our residents and visitors understand the decision not to spend money on a second tree outside Worthing Town Hall.”
The council’s cabinet reported a £1.8 million overspend to a meeting of the joint strategic sub-committee on September 19 for the 2023/2024 budget.
It followed a £2.1 million overspend in the 2022/2023 budget, where the council “narrowly” avoided bankruptcy by using money from reserves, reducing them to £300,000.
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