MORE than 1,000 people packed into Liscard last night to celebrate Christmas - eight months early.

A 30ft Christmas tree with giant red baubles was surrounded by carol singers as Liscard Way was turned into a festive wonderland on Wednesday.

There may have been 239 days to go until the big day but visitors came face-to-face with Santa Claus. Even snow made an appearance.

The event was part of a campaign launched by Danny McLeod, from Birkenhead-based Argyle Taxis, to raise funds to give the town a spectacular Christmas display this year.

It comes after Liscard made it onto the list of the worst Christmas trees in Britain last year.

The town's festive display was given a spruce-up after residents set up a Facebook page complaining about the "depressing" tree.

The page, called Liscard Christmas Lights, showed the solitary tree - donated by nearby Primark - surrounded by a metal fence, secured in concrete blocks.

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More than 1,000 people turned out for the event. Picture by Geoff Davies.

Despite £9,500 funding from Wallasey constituency committee adding a little extra “sparkle” to the tree, the display still made it onto BuzzFeed’s list of “The 13 Worst Christmas Trees in Britain”.

Danny, like many others, was saddened by the negative publicity, with it acting as a catalyst for him to do something positive for the town and the wider borough.

He teamed up with John White, the manager of Cherry Tree Shopping Centre, and began making plans to make Liscard sparkle in 2015, with this week’s “mock” Christmas aimed at attracting donations from local businesses.

With the help of The Christmas Decorators – who specialise in decorating shopping centres and homes of the rich and famous – Danny transformed Liscard into a winter wonderland.

Danny said he was overwhelmed to the response and depsite negative comments on social media, more than 1,000 people turned up to enjoy the display.

He said: "What the event is all about is to get local businesses involved and get them interested because without their financial support, we’re not going to get this done.

“We’ve got a round figure of £25,000 that we’re looking for but that’s the top end – we can do it for less but the £25,000 would allow us to have all the roads lit up and everything.

“From most businesses we’re looking for a donation of £150 to £200 but obviously for the bigger businesses we would expect more.”

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Danny, who last year helped Wirral Council with their drink driving campaign, hopes seeing Christmas in April will shock people into action.

He said: “Everything will be down the next day before people go back to work.

“We’re trying to give people a bit of a shock while the memory of what Christmas was like last year is still in their minds.

“We’re going to say to people that if there’s a community, everyone puts their hand in their pocket and having a fantastic Christmas display will hopefully increase trade in the area if we can get people travelling into Liscard.

“I appreciate there’s not a huge amount of choice compared to Liverpool city centre but not everyone can travel over there and not everyone wants to.

“We want people to take their kids to see a nice Christmas tree and decorations and bring Christmas a little closer to home.”

Danny added: "Many thanks to everyone who turned out for what was easily the best night Liscard has seen for many years. Personally I would like to thank all those who gave up their time to make it the event it was.

"So the people of Liscard, and traders the ball is in your court! If you want to see the same this coming November but on a grander scale get involved."

Did you take part in Liscard's early Christmas? Email emma.rigby@newsquest.co.uk and let us know.

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