A HUGE Christmas tree, which stood at the heart of a shopping centre over the festive season, was taken down and blessed yesterday.
Scores of people left messages for loved ones on the St Teresa's Hospice Giving to Life tree, which was set up in the Cornmill Centre, in Darlington.
The tree has raised £7,851 for the hospice during the Christmas holidays.
Hospice director Jane Bradshaw said: "The Giving to Life tree blessing has become something of a tradition for St Teresa's and it is definitely something that has become very important to us.
"The tree is a place for people to leave touching and heartfelt messages to loved ones that they can't be with at Christmas time and it simply wouldn't feel right to just take it down.
"We hold the blessing to honour all those who have left messages and as a mark of respect for those they are writing to."
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