It's back by popular demand! Out have come the fairy lights and the multi-coloured tinsel, as the town prepares to get into the festive spirit after the Evening Star Christmas tree took pride of place on the Cornhill.

IPSWICH: It's back by popular demand!

Out have come the fairy lights and the multi-coloured tinsel, as the town prepares to get into the festive spirit after the Evening Star Christmas tree took pride of place on the Cornhill.

After being absent for one season, the tree has returned to re-establish years of tradition this Yuletide.

The council building will be lit up to provide a dramatic backdrop to the giant tree - the biggest ever to grace the town centre.

The town's shops are also preparing for the start of the festive season, with late-night opening starting on Thursday.

Each Thursday night shopping session will have a different theme - ranging from treasure hunts and cookery demonstrations to stilt walkers and mini-pantomimes.

The Christmas lights switch-on is also set to take place on Thursday, with the illuminations lighting up in a staggered style as Father Christmas passes by on his sleigh.

Meanwhile, the Star's other giant Christmas tree, in Tower Ramparts, will return to dazzle shoppers and add to the festive feeling.

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “You know Christmas is around the corner when The Star tree is put up.

“After a year without one on the Cornhill last year, it's back - and bigger and better than ever.”

The Star tree has been a feature of the town's Christmas celebrations since the early 1960s.

However last year is was moved into Tower Ramparts after it was decided that the position of the tree would conflict with the increasingly successful market on the Cornhill.

The Evening Star's Christopher Ozanne said: “We are really excited about Christmas in Ipswich this year and will be working with our partners at Ipswich Central and Ipswich Borough Council to deliver the best possible festive build-up for Ipswich.

“Don't forget that the Evening Star Carol Service will be at St Margaret's Church on December 7 - tickets are always snapped up quickly, so make sure you look out for further information.

“The Evening Star will also be supporting exciting new Christmas projects along Ipswich Waterfront - for the first year ever there will be Christmas lights and entertainment plus a Christmas market.”

Are you pleased to see the tree return? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Christmas tree fastfacts:

The Christmas tree first appeared in England during the Victorian era, after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were seen in the Illustrated London News standing around a festively decorated tree.

Because of her popularity it immediately became extremely fashionable and women spent hours crafting snowflakes and stars.

During the Victorian era, Christmas trees because a status symbol - the bigger the better.

After the death of Queen Victoria, the use of a tree at Christmas went into a decline until it was resurrected in the 1930s.

The tradition of hanging a holly wreath on the door at Christmas began during the 17th Century and signified a home that celebrated the birth of Christ.