WITH Christmas edging closer, the festive feeling is certainly spreading across Warrington.

However, council chief executive Steven Broomhead is using the festival to remind people about the difficulties facing some of the town’s vulnerable residents after opting to place an ‘austerity tree’ outside his office.

A council spokeswoman said: “The seven-foot, black, upside down ‘austerity tree’ stands outside the chief executive’s office inside the Town Hall.

“Personally purchased by the chief executive, with lights from a charity shop and all handmade paper baubles of each of the 58 council members, it reminds us of the austerity faced by some of our vulnerable residents this Christmas.”