Following "malicious damage," BID Camborne’s directors have reluctantly decided to remove the town’s Christmas tree from Commercial Square on Wednesday 20 December.

Chair of the BID team, Sharron Lipscombe-Manley, said: “The tree has been repeatedly climbed and damaged over the last few weeks and the star on top of it has now been removed, leaving the cable exposed. This has fused both the tree lights and the square’s decorations and the fault needs to be fixed. To do that requires dismantling the tree, so we’ve sadly made the decision to take it down completely.”

Camborne’s BID (Business Improvement District) status is funded by local businesses so it is ultimately local traders who will be footing the bill.

“I think we’ve all been shocked by the criminal behaviour of those intent on spoiling Christmas in Camborne for everyone else,” said Sharron, a local business owner. “The CCTV is on and working, however, and the police are dealing with the vandals.”

Despite the tree’s removal, there is plenty to see and do in Camborne over the festive period. Dylan’s Bear Necessities in Trelowarren Street is again hosting a free Santa’s Grotto this weekend and entertainment in Commercial Square will include music from Jumping Out and Camborne Town Band and performances from Swamp Circus - don’t forget to make use of the final weekend of free parking in Rosewarne car parks.