A festive offering which left residents and visitors feeling underwhelmed has been replaced by a bigger and better tree.

A more impressive, 17ft tree now stands at the entrance to Deal pier, after the first one prompted strong reaction from passersby.

One resident even proclaimed “You can get bigger ones in Poundland” after spotting the original tree last week.

But Dover District Council revealed the wrong one had been delivered – and said sorting a replacement would be a “matter of urgency”.

The new addition came from Archers Low Garden Centre and Nursery, in Sandwich.

Owner and manager of the family-run business, Sarah Doyle, said it was a privilege to be able to help the community.

“We were genuinely pleased Dover District Council came to us,” she said.

“We had a number of big trees but not a spare one but it all came together thank goodness.

“We really worked as hard as we could to track one down in time and we’re so honoured to have done it because it’s a big thing and a statement.

“I know there are a lot of garden centres around here but to be chosen as a local one, we were very pleased.”

The 39-year-old went on to explain putting the huge tree up was a task, but it was a job well done by herself and two other ladies from the team.

“I can’t see how at any point they thought that tree was big enough because I lifted it on my own,” she said.

“We were just hoping ours would look as big as it was!

“When it’s outside on a big scale, it can get dwarfed but luckily it was fine.

“It’s bigger than the sculpture next to it which is key, I think it was between 15 and 17 feet tall.

“We heard it took three guys about three hours to put the last one up but three of us got the previous one dismantled and ours up in an hour and a half in the dark. We were quite pleased.”

Miss Doyle says the old tree – at 10ft tall – is being rehomed and they are liaising with the council over the new one becoming a memory tree so people can tie messages to their loved ones who have passed away on it.