When Herne Bay's Christmas tree was unveiled in front of a 1,000-strong crowd six years ago, furious onlookers booed and jeered it.

Dubbed the worst in the country, it was ridiculed for its dishevelled appearance and paltry lights.

Canterbury City Council later decided to change the Mortimer Street tree, but its replacement was also slammed by locals who labelled it an "ugly twin".

However, the reception for this year's spectacular fir in Wimereux Square - which complements a second in Mortimer Street - has been starkly different.

It has been funded by a group of businesses who last year took on the responsibility for organising the display in Herne Bay.

Sarah Hart wrote on Herne Bay Chatter: "Our Christmas tree is truly beautiful this year. It's something to be proud of."

Charmaine Dryden added that this year's offering is a marked "improvement" on the local authority's effort in 2012.

The Wimereux offering is draped with lights and has been capped with a large, glowing star.

In 2013 the city council announced it would axe funding for Christmas lights and trees across the district, amid "severe cuts in government funding".

The community group behind the lights display was unable to hold the traditional switch-on on Friday after struggling to raise the funds and negotiate the red tape needed to put it on.