RESIDENTS will search in vain for public Christmas trees on the streets of Waltham Forest this year.

After numerous acts of vandalism and complaints last year, council bosses have decided to do away with the festive trees in their borough-wide Christmas decorations.

A spokesman said: "Our previous Christmas tree presentations were not successful. They were too small, were situated in poor locations or were vandalised.

"Last year we received numerous complaints that our trees were poor, especially in Leytonstone."

So, rather than make amends by buying bigger trees and placing them in better, safer locations, the council has decided not to bother.

The only exception is the two trees the council has proudly planted outside the town hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

This decision has not proved popular with everyone.

Michelle Jones, who travelled right round the borough including Walthamstow Market and Leytonstone High Road with her two nephews in the hope of finding decorated Christmas trees, said: "I think it's outrageous.

"It's very upsetting for the boys and I can't afford to take them to central London to show them the displays there.

"It may not seem like a big issue to some people but it can mean a lot to these kids."

The council said it had invested an additional £85,000 on festive lights.

These have added to the decorations regularly displayed in Walthamstow Town Centre and the council says it has received a great deal of praise from the public for this change in strategy.

There are currently no plans to reinstate Christmas trees.