Volunteers will be sought to erect Hadleigh Christmas trees for the next festive period after controversy surrounded the use of wardens from Sudbury in December.

Fresh safety concerns have been raised by residents after the wardens removed the trees along the High Street yesterday.

Residents contacted Hadleigh town council to register their fears that pedestrians were at risk as workmen used a ladder to remove the trees, but the path remained open for them to move freely, including going under the ladder. The contractors did not use a cherry picker on this occasion Hadleigh Nub News

Hadleigh Nub News was sent a picture showing the workmen wearing high visibility clothing but no warning signs are shown.

"They worked their way along the High Street shifting the ladder as they went. They did not close off any part of the path so people could just walk where they wanted. I did not see any warning signs and you know what some people are like, there could well have been an accident."

However, Hadleigh mayor councillor Frank Minns, who lives in the town centre, did not believe the public were in any danger.

He said: "I did see trees being taken down at the south end of the High Street from the window of my own house earlier this morning, and I cannot say I noted anything that posed a risk to the public.

"Since, as I understand it, the wardens were all wearing body cameras, there would be no difficulty in finding out if any such hazards did arise."

Cllr Minns also confirmed that the contractors that the town council paid to erect from the Babergh administered Welcome Back Fund, and then take down the trees, will not be employed again and volunteers will be sought next Christmas.

"It is the case that we will not be using the Sudbury Community Wardens again this year by mutual agreement," said Cllr Minns. "This is a pity as it was their track record in putting up the trees in Sudbury and Haverhill which prompted us to take them on in the first place.

"I hope very much that we will be able to revert to using the volunteers this coming Christmas."

Complaints were made before Christmas about the way the trees were put up and Town centre manager Cheryl Tye, as the person responsible for employing the contractors received criticism from members of the public.

One resident was sent a letter from solicitors threatening legal action against her for making a complaint and outlining her concerns, written by Ms Tye and approved by the mayor.

The matter was discussed at a controversial and stormy full council meeting in December.

Cllr Minns has confirmed the £42,000 a year Ms Tye has now gone off sick and is not expected to return before February.

Meanwhile, the matter is expected to be discussed again at full council on Thursday, January 19. after calls by some councillors to hold an emergency meeting before that, was rejected by the mayor.