WORCESTER'S Christmas lights display has been named as one of the top ten best in the country.

The city's festive display has reached the final of a national competition to find the country's best illuminations.

Worcester's display was praised for enhancing the community and bringing together High Street businesses and trade organisations.

However, the news may come as a surprise to some residents as Worcester City Council's lights display also includes those installed on a tree in the middle of a roundabout in St John's.

The wonky display, which stopped abruptly three quarters of the way up the tree, saw an outcry from Worcester News readers who asked, 'is this the worst Christmas tree display in Britain?'

The council's economic development officer, Helen Mole, will be representing Worcester City Council at the final of the Revive & Thrive competition, due to be held in Blackpool this Friday.

She said: “We spend a lot of time and effort trying to make Worcester look and feel festive – the city centre Christmas lights play a big role in creating and sustaining that festive appeal, but laying on special events which will entice shoppers in to the city centre is also key.

“By working closely with High Street retailers, many of whom offer special promotions to coincide with the Christmas lights switch-on, we can give a real boost to the local economy.”

Also in the running for top display is Kidsgrove Town Centre CIC, Liskeard Lights Up, Combe Christmas, Gravesend Borough Market, Lancaster BID Ltd, Congleton Town Council - Christmas Crackers Group, Stratford Original BID, Rye Christmas Festival and Mansfield District Council.

The winner will win £10,000 worth of lights for their town or city, while second place wins £2,000 and all finalists receive £1,000 worth of lights.

In its competition entry, Worcester City Council pointed out that the festive displays were part of a wider Christmas season which saw the lights switch on event, followed by the arrival of Father Christmas and the Victorian Christmas Fayre.

Local businesses tie into the campaign with their own special offers, while the Worcester BID has helped pep up the display by paying for lamppost columns and tree lights.

They have also helped indepedent retailers to buy lights for their shops, helping the festive feel to spread beyond just the city centre area.