A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bring Christmas back to a town - after an absence of 20 years.

And the Christmas tree making a return to South Bank, near Middlesbrough, after two decades will become a real family tree.

As part of a bid to raise £2,800 to buy a 30ft tree and decorations, local families will be asked to sponsor a bulb in return for having an individual light bearing with their name.

The project has been launched by new South Bank Citizen of the Year, Kimberley Drury.

"I have been in South Bank all my life and I have not seen a tree here since I was a kid," said the mother of two. "It means a lot for children, particularly the kids who don't get a lot for Christmas."

South Bank lost its tree following persistent vandal attacks, and its return was thwarted by the amount of money needed to buy a new one.

South Bank Community Forum has thrown its weight behind the idea and corporations, businesses and organisations in the area have been targeted for sponsors.

Kimberley said: "Christmas is not Christmas without a tree. It gets people into the Christmas spirit and brings them closer together.

"And it would bring the whole town closer together than it already is."

Schoolchildren will be asked to make tree appeal badges for sale and Middlesbrough Football Club is being asked to donate a signed football shirt, along with Manchester United and Liverpool, to raffle.

St George's Square, known locally as Old Mad Park, is the favoured site for the tree, which it is hoped will be between 25ft and 30ft tall.

Most of the money raised by the project would be spent on vandal proof bulbs and the installation of the tree.

Community environment worker Peter Weatherley said: "I think anything that can brighten up people's lives in South Bank is welcome. Certainly the community forum will support this initiative as much as possible."