It may not feel very much like it, as the second lockdown of 2020 continues, but Christmas has moved a little nearer with the arrival of our town's big Christmas tree!

A 28ft tall spruce is now standing proud in Hitchin's Market Place, ready to be decorated with lights and a star.

The tree, which is funded by Hitchin BID and North Herts District Council, is always a big topic of conversation in our area, even if, this year, due to the Covid crisis, there isn't an official 'switch-on' of the lights.

Speaking to Hitchin Nub News, tireless town centre manager Tom Hardy explained: "The lights have been donated by councillor Ian Albert in memory of his late wife.

"The lights are set to go on, the star is going on the tree as well. We've got a white picket fence around the tree with festoon lights.

"It's a big spruce which should last us up until January. We chose it a while ago in a forest near Berkhamsted - it took us a good hour to decide!"

See Hitchin Nub News shortly for the moving story behind Ian Albert's decision to donate Christmas lights in memory of his late wife.

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The tree will look over Hitchin's eagerly-awaited Christmas Market, which is set to commence on December 3, the day after lockdown.

Read Hitchin Nub Nub for more from Hitchin town centre boss Tom Hardy on why it is so important to shop local this festive season.