A CHRISTMAS tree will not be put up in Burnley's Charter Walk Shopping Centre this year, it has been revealed.

Chris Gribben, manager of the centre, said putting up the tree was "very labour intensive" and that they had got better value for money from other decorations.

He denied rumours that the tree had been removed because of religious reasons, pointing to the fact they had also installed a crib.

But the leader of Burnley Council, Coun Gordon Birtwistle, said it was a shame the centre had decided not to have a Christmas tree.

He said: "I am a big Christmas tree fan. I think it's a shame they are not going to have one.

"I am sad they are not putting one up, but if they think they can give us a better display by not having a tree then that's for them."

Mr Gribben said: "It's nothing to do with religious sensibilities. That is totally untrue.

"We just chose to have a different scheme this year.

"It's funny that when we introduced a Christmas tree three years ago it was ridiculed."

He said the tree had to be put on a large platform to keep it from being vandalised by yobs.

Mr Gribben added: "I have a particular budget to spend on decorations, because there is a Christmas tree in St James Street we excluded ours.

"The nativity scene is still there and we have got so many more decorations now with the absence of the tree - it's better value for money.

"It's very labour intensive to put up a tree."

He said he had not received any complaints about the lack of a tree.

"We own the Christmas tree, we may return it next year or in subsequent years," he added.