Mystery and confusion surrounds Great Dunmow this week as the enigma of the decorated tree is left unsolved.

The Christmas tree in Dunmow has been Yarn Bombed - an anonymous person knits, crochets, or stitches decorations to put in a plain public place to make it prettier.

Earlier this week (December 5-6) someone threw knitted baubles all over the tree - prompting the Town Council to ask who they can thank.

At a meeting on Thursday (December 8) it was discussed what would happen to the new ornaments.

Danielle Frost, mayor of Dunmow, said: “The general consensus was that we are going to leave it, but we might arrange for them to be moved around the tree a bit.”

As the baubles were thrown on in the middle of the night, they are not neatly placed, and so the council may straighten everything up.

She said: “It’s come from a place of peace and love and Christmas spirit so we are fine with all that.”

Normally the tree, which is donated to the Town Council by the Boars Head, is decked with simple lights to switch on at night.

The council discussed the possibility of starting a competition to decide who gets to decorate the tree next year.