PENARTH Cricket Club members found themselves on a sticky wicket this week - after they spent £5,000 on Christmas trees to sell to the town's residents, only for the trees to get snowed in at Grimsby Docks.

Like last year, they bought 150 firs from Denmark to sell to the public, with profits helping the club – but organisers were left fearful for the future after the trees failed to arrive.

The sale was due to take place last weekend, but because of the cold weather the trees were stuck 260 miles away on a lorry in the Lincolnshire town, much of which was covered by 3ft of snow.

Fortunately the trees have now been delivered, and club chairman Steve Newman is finally able to start selling.

“I’m massively relieved, because the club depends on the sale of the trees to generate a profit," he said.

“When I heard they were stuck in Grimsby, I was mortified.

“We don’t have a lot of money and without the sale of the trees we would have been in dire straits.”

The trees, many of which were still covered in snow, arrived at the Athletic Ground, home to Penarth Rugby Club, on Lavernock Road, on Tuesday.

The sale, which started yesterday, runs between 6pm and 9pm tonight and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday) and between 9.30am and 5pm, Saturday and Sunday.

“As you can imagine this was a serious blow to the cricket club, and we would implore people to continue to support us by purchasing their tree from us this week," added Steve.

“Fingers crossed we can sell them all.”

A delivery service will also run for those who are unable to make it on the new sale dates.

To arrange delivery, or if you have pre-ordered a tree and would like to make arrangements to collect it, contact Steve Newman on 01633 760109 or email Stephen.Newman@acornpeople.com