THE festive season is once again nearly upon us and we have managed to survive Halloween and Firework Night.

Next, it's Christmas with all the shops dreaming of bumper profits, not necessarily a white one. The town’s decorations are about to light up the High Street, and all is well apart from one little thing — the Guildhall Xmas Tree.

One year it's lovely, tall and full-bodied. The next it's damn right anorexic looking, and now this year it's short and stout.

Surely the powers that be could have selected a better example.

Maybe if the town's folk water it once a week it might grow another three feet.

IR Stone, Cross Lane, Andover.