PEOPLE of Cirencester have proved that size definitely does matter, especially when it comes to the town’s Christmas tree.

A number of disgruntled residents have noticed that the tree, located in the centre of Cirencester’s Market Place, is looking remarkably smaller than it has been in recent years.

Many took to social networking sites to air their grievances about the town’s festive shortcomings.

One user called the tree an “embarrassment” and wrote: “So come on, who shrunk the Christmas tree in the Market Place? The thing is getting smaller every year.”

While another wrote: “It’s a shame to see the Christmas tree in the Market Place is following in the footsteps of Cadbury’s Creme Eggs – getting smaller every year.”

The Standard investigated the claims that the tree was shrinking and can reveal that an accident in transit caused it to be substantially smaller.

The town’s Deputy Mayor, Mark Harris said: “I do understand that the tree is about five feet shorter than it normally is. When it was delivered, we discovered that it had quite a large nick in it.

“What’s been done is, rather than dump the whole thing, the Town Council have cut it down from where the nick was.”

It was originally thought that a lack in funding might be the reason for the tree’s size following a tweet from Mayor Joe Harris to one unhappy resident, which said: “If you’d like to make a donation, perhaps we could buy a larger one.”

However, Cllr Harris Sr said that it is the public’s right to air their grievances about public services.

He said: “I don’t think that they really are criticising the tree. But it is their job to question and it is our job to provide answers.”