A 'BEACON of hope' is set to stay on display until next month.

The Christmas Tree on the Green, which can be seen as you enter West Bay, is erected every year by the West Bay Days committee.

In normal circumstances, the tree would have been taken down at the beginning of this week, but it has been decided this year to keep the tree up for a little longer.

The committee has decided that the tree will remain in place until Tuesday, February 2 - Candlemas Day, which was formerly the traditional day to take down Christmas decorations.

The West Bay Days committee is a group of volunteers who raise money for local causes through events.

A spokesman for the committee said: "In these troubling times it makes a change to see and hear cheerful things, the Christmas Tree on the Green in West Bay is one and is a welcoming sight as you enter West Bay.

"Last year’s events organised by the West Bay Days committee which include Pirate Day and the Bonfire on the Beach unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, but the tree has been described as a simple ‘Beacon of Hope’ and will now be there for a further three weeks."

The tree is put up annually in the West Bay location and traditionally the community gathers around the Christmas tree to welcome the festive season. The event would feature a carol service and the much-anticipated switching on of the Christmas lights.

West Bay Days hope to be able to put on more events in 2021. To keep up to date with the group's activities, visit www.facebook.com/westbaydays/