Village tree ‘needs more love’ this Christmas

For the second year running traders in Birkdale village are feeling inadequate over their ‘permanent’ Christmas tree.

The tree outside the Spar shop on Liverpool Road in the centre of the village will be lit up once again this year but some traders say they feel left out compared to the huge tree in nearby Southport.

One trader said “All the money obviously goes on the massive tree in Southport and this is what we have each year.

“It’s a nice tree but it could be better. We need more people than ever to be attracted to the village this festive period but when our tree looks a little anaemic, it’s not the best advert.”

“Hillside and Ainsdale have lovely trees but because they work hard like we do. I worry that people will think the Birkdale tree is no good.”