FESTIVE minded members of York's business community have stepped in to fill Santa's shoes - with a giant Christmas tree.

Members of City of York Council's city centre team said they were disappointed when they heard Santa wouldn't be coming to St Sampson's Square.

Acting city centre manager Paul Barrett said: "It's been an annual feature for several years and has proven a real hit. But at such short notice there was no way we could get a replacement organised."

Now though, St Sampson's Squre looks stunning thanks to the giant tree, paid for by York businesspeople. The cash has come through the York Business Pride campaign, which is aimed at getting the city's business community involved with keeping the city clean.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, December 05, 2003