THE magic of a real Christmas tree is in Shipley again with a 15ft green fir sprucing up the market square instead of the metal modernist art-work of recent years.

Town MP Philip Davies (Con) last year branded the sculpture an embarrassment, but welcomed the change this year.

"I think this is fantastic and credit where credit's due, Bradford Council has obviously listened to popular opinion and acted on it," Mr Davies said.

"I'm sure people will much prefer a real Christmas tree rather than the ugly monstrosity they had before."

Cameron Biggins, 12, from Shipley was in town with his mother Melanie and was also in no doubt.

"I think it's great and much better than that grotty metal thing," said Cameron, who attends the One in a Million Free School in Manningham.

Barry Cooper of Perkin's Jewellers on the Market Square said he was pleased with the switch.

"It's lovely to see a real tree, but I do wonder where the other one has gone?

"It was bought and paid for by Shipley and so it's a shame we can't have both in my opinion.

"Some people didn't like it, but it was certainly a talking point."

Ward councillor Martin Love said the traditional tree was put up last week after he and fellow Green councillors Kevin Warnes and Hawarun Hussain were contacted by an officer on behalf of Shipley Area Committee.

"We were told there was a sum of money available, not a vast amount, but enough to buy a real tree and so we gave it the thumbs up and all replied positively to the e-mail

"It's much better than that revoltingly ugly metal thing.

"It was only a few hundred pounds, money you couldn't use on anything else, and it apparently came from the Council leader's own budget.

"I'm just very pleased we've got a proper tree."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Education, Skills and Culture, said: "The ward councillors decided to buy a real Christmas tree for Shipley from their pot of money as a one-off and we're pleased it has been well received."

Shipley Area co-ordinator Damian Fisher added: "We are looking at whether we can re-site the usual Shipley Christmas tree in another part of town. However, if there is a significant cost involved with power supply, etc, then we may just keep it safe until next Christmas when it will make a return to its usual place."

l Santa’s Parade will be in Shipley Market Square three times on Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, followed by a Rockin’ Robin Panto.