A CHRISTMAS tree which has stayed up for over a month has finally been taken down.

The conifer which was installed on the roundabout in Penarth town centre for the Christmas period was taken down on Thursday, January 28.

The reason for it being left so long is that the company contracted to put up and take it down had prioritised other jobs in Cardiff.

Deputy town clerk, Keri Hutchings said that the town was on a waiting list and placed behind the capital city which was to have its tree and lights removed first.

He admitted hat it was a source of frustration that the tree could not have been taken down sooner but that he understands the reason behind it.

The tree has been the source of bewilderment amongst Penarth residents for many weeks due to it being slightly off centre and it has even seen a twitter account set up in its name.

Petra Aydin Barberini who runs Rowley's Jewellers on Glebe Street said she likes sticking to the tradition that Christmas decorations should go up at the start of advent and come down on the twelfth night.

She also said she loves to see a Christmas tree but would prefer to see a live growing tree and that she is not a fan of the destruction of living trees just for the Christmas period."

Commenting on the stature of the tree, Mrs Aydin Barberini added: "The clock on the roundabout doesn't allow the tree to be placed centrally and the council gets criticism every year for it not being straight which I don't feel is fair considering the gales of wind that batter the town centre.

"Perhaps a solution would be a number of smaller live trees surrounding the clock which could be decorated or using the clock standard to creatively festoon lights onto the ground."