Residents have been left baffled by the latest contender for Britain's worst Christmas tree after town hall bosses unveiled a festive fir only half decorated with lights.

Locals have been left scratching their heads after the bizarrely decorated tree went on display in Worcester city centre this week.

Just a day after the "worst Christmas tree in the north" was revealed in Bailiff Bridge, West Yorks., Worcester locals believe they now have the worst in the Midlands.

The 20ft (6m) pine has hundreds of fair lights adorning its one side from top to bottom - while the other side looks completely bare.

Shoppers have now now slammed town hall bosses for making the city a "laughing stock" after the tree was put up on the roundabout near Worcester Cathedral.

Estate agent Faye Hall, 31, a mum-of-one, said: "I was on my way home from work and saw the tree and thought it looked quite pretty at first with the lights.

"But then as I passed by I noticed there no lights on the other side and couldn't help but laugh because it just looks ridiculous.

"It has got to be one of the worst Christmas trees in the country, I'm not sure what they were thinking."

Student Louise Canly, 23, from St John's, Worcester, added: "It makes our great city a laughing stock.

"I think we may have the naffest Christmas tree in the Midlands, if not anywhere. There can't be many worse that this. It just looks awful.

"I hope the council do something to rectify it as they can't leave it like this surely. We can't figure out if its deliberate or they just haven't bothered finishing it."

Worcester City Council said it would be investigating whether there is a problem and will arrange for repairs if they are needed.

It is not yet known if the decorations are intentional to look like a shooting star - or whether there has been a mishap with the lights or electrics.

It comes just a day after a tree in Bailiff Bridge had only its bottom half decorated as healthy and safety officials said it was too dangerous to safely light the top.