BUSINESS leaders in Thame say residents have been left pining for more Christmas trees after conservationists ruled out trees on buildings.

The lack of festive trees could leave the town trailing behind Chipping Norton in a competition to find Britain’s Best High Street.

Sonja Francis, of Thame4Business, said traders used brackets to attach 4ft trees to the front of their shops.

But she said following advice from South Oxfordshire District Council that the metal brackets could harm historic buildings the practice ceased more than 10 years ago.

Since then Thame residents have had to make do with one large Christmas tree in the town centre while Chipping Norton have more than 100 small trees on shops.

Ms Francis said: “The town council used to provide traders with a bracket and they would display a 4ft Christmas tree.

“But then a planning officer told us it shouldn’t happen in the conservation area.

“Since then we have had one large Christmas tree outside the town hall and a lot has been invested in Christmas lights.

“We are not asking for the restriction to be lifted because Thame looks beautiful when the lights are on.

“We are very proud of our historic buildings and we do understand the need to protect them.”

Thame’s Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Friday, December 2 at 7pm and the shops are invited to stay open late on that night.

Polly Jaffé, of Jaffé & Neale bookshop in Chipping Norton, said: “The town council gives the little Christmas trees out to traders and when they go up the whole town looks fantastic.

“Our Christmas late night shopping night is on Friday, December 2.”

Last week Britain’s Best High Street judges visited Chipping Norton and Thame, both shortlisted for the competition’s small market town category.

Winners are expected to be announced on December 12.

Patsy Cusworth, a spokeswoman for SODC, said: “Thame town centre is part of the Thame conservation area, but that should not stop people putting up decorations, as long as it is done with special regard to the historic and architectural character and appearance of the area, including applying for listed building consent.”