HALSTEAD town council has agreed to purchasing new protective barriers for the town's Christmas tree.

The tree is funded by the council every December, when it is set up and decorated with lights at the top of the High Street.

Due to the tree's size and location, the town council says safety precautions in the form of protective barriers and fencing must be installed.

In the council's monthly meeting earlier in November, councillors discussed a reported proposal for the purchasing of new protective barriers for this year's tree.

The report reads: "The Christmas tree at the top of the town must be surrounded by protective barriers to keep the public away from the tree, and to stop vehicles driving into it and knocking it over."

"The current barriers used are wooden and very old.

"Our groundsman has found something he believes suitable, which is a steel barrier, available in a galvanised finish as standard, which guards against rusting, but the barriers can be powder coated if required.

"We would need 16 of these to protect the Christmas tree, at a total cost of £449.28.

"They are likely to last many years, and it is therefore a good investment, which can be taken from the general Christmas budget."

The report recommended 16 steel barriers be purchased, to protect the Christmas tree and the public.

The report was proposed at the meeting by councillor Pell, seconded by councillor Finken.

It was agreed bar one objection.