‘GAUDY’ decorations on the giant Christmas tree in Bradford on Avon may have to be toned down, the town’s mayor admits, after a number of negative comments.

Pavilion Cafe owner Andrew Allen was approached to decorate the tree in Westbury Gardens by mayor John Potter after seeing his creative skills at the Holy Trinity Christmas Tree Festival last year.

Mr Allen, who spent a day and a half working on the tree, said: “A ‘look’ just popped into my head and I just worked from that.

“We were sort of fighting against the light to finish the decorations on the top on Sunday but so far we have had a lot of positive comments because it is a bit in your face.

“I think some people will love it and I don’t mind if some people hate it.”

The Lions Club had previously decorated the tree but, this year, its members were only in charge of putting it up on Sunday.

Richard Bloom, from the club, said he was “dumbstruck by the monstrosity”.

He added that, when they were in charge of the decoration, the Lions had followed advice from Chamber of Commerce to businesses to adorn trees with white lights.

Lifelong Bradford resident James Vincent, who runs J Alex Brown in Silver Street, agreed, saying: “I have never seen anything like it.

"There has always been a Christmas tree in Westbury Gardens and I believed that they wanted everyone to have white lights in the town”

Other residents, who did not want to be named, also spoke out against the colourful creation.

One said: “It is too blingy and doesn’t really fit Bradford on Avon.”

Mr Potter described the tree as “a work of art” but has said that, based on comments from residents, he may have to have it toned it down in the coming days.