Wisbech is set for a major new Christmas display in 2020

A piece of "ballsy" negotiation by the leader of Wisbech Town Council means the town will have a major new Christmas decoration for 2020.

Councillor Sam Hoy has managed to secure the controversial glass bauble tree, which has been on display in Peterborough for the past few years but has won public dislike in the city for its modern appearance likened by some to bubble wrap and baubles.

Peterborough City Council decided this Christmas to spend £6,200 on a real tree and have been on the hunt for someone willing to buy the fake tree, which has stood in the city's Cathedral Square for the past four years, as they no longer want the expense of storing it.

The metal tree had been expected to last five years after the authority spent £40,000 buying it. They have been trying to sell it for some months but without success.

Councillor Steve Tierney said: "We have been really lucky to get the tree for Wisbech. It is down to some ballsy negotiation by Coun Hoy, who basically asked if we could have it, but said we would not pay for it.

"She stuck by her guns and after failing to find a buyer the city council has greed we can have it at not cost so, it will be a major addition to the town's Christmas display next year. We are already planning some upgrades to the displaysfor 2020 and the tree will help with that.

"We are lucky, being a rural council we have more facilities for storage and so the tree will be put in a special container and safely stored at relatively little cost until it is needed next year.

"We have yet to decide where it will go but one thought is to put it at the other end of the Market Place to the traditional tree, so it gives an extra wow factor to the annual switch-on."