A CHARITY Christmas tree inviting people to remember lost loved ones took pride of place in a shopping centre yesterday.

This year's Teesside Hospice Tree of Life was placed inside the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, where a representative from sponsor Kvaerner MMO hung the first bauble.

From now until December 20, local people are invited to hang their own baubles, along with personal messages for lost loved ones, or simply celebrating Christmas. Smaller Christmas trees, also inviting baubles and messages, are being placed in Teesside Hospice charity shops and workplaces of hospice partners.

The main tree will ultimately be taken to St Barnabus' Church, in Linthorpe, where baubles from elsewhere will be added, prior to a service of remembrance, at 7.30pm on December 20.