A Christmas tree has been spotted in Swindon less than 24 hours after Halloween ends.

The end of the spooky season saw a swift switch from horror to ho-ho-ho as festive decorations went up around the town.

A large Christmas tree added to the entrance of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet caught the eye of shoppers on Friday.

Adver readers had mixed thoughts on whether it was too soon – even perhaps disrespectful – to start celebrating Christmas this early, or whether it added a bit of joy to a gloomy time of year.

Paul Loveday said: “There are 12 days of Christmas, none of which are in frigging November.”

After Michelle Jones pointed out that the 12 days of Christmas are all after Christmas, he added: “Just proves it's way too early.”

Melanie Thomson said: “Sainsbury’s had Christmas items in at the end of August so I think this shows restraint!”

Peter Bates replied: “And so Sainsbury’s should have - any month ending in ‘er’ is Christmas: September, October, November, December.

“Have you never heard of multitasking? No need for occasions to be sequential, they can exist in parallel.”

Anna Tersánszky said: “This is the initiative for every company, as they make most of their money during the Christmas holidays.

“Like it or not, this will never change. So get over it.”

Janice Timms said: “Shouldn't be up until after Remembrance Day.”

Russell Webb agreed: “Yes, when you hear 'it’s the most wonderful time of the year' in shops before Remembrance Day, it's disgusting and unthoughtful!”

Rebecca Harris said: “After Remembrance Day I agree but, for all of you lot moaning about it should be December, why?

“There’s so much doom and gloom around, so if this brings a little happiness in people’s lives, why not!

“I just don’t get why some people get so grumpy about it. Merry Christmas.”

Tina Sheppard said: “Life’s so short, why do people insist on speeding up to the holidays."

Ryan Clark said: “I was amazed at the amount of houses with Christmas lights in Swindon tonight!

“Not that I mind that, it adds a bit of colour I think. It’s the ads on tv and shops already stocked up with stuff for the silly season [that annoys me].”

Adrian Martin said: “The most commercialised religious festival in the world, it is embarrassing.”

Vicky Cole pointed out: “ Christmas will always get earlier and earlier if shops get the footfall.”

Michael Stack said: “I don't mind. It gets people in the spirit to spend, in a shopping centre.”

Gemma Davies said: “I love Christmas, but it does seem a bit too early - that said all the other trees around are losing or have lost their leaves, and it’s nice to see the wildlife in and out of the trees.

“If you've ever been to the Orbital around dusk when the tree is up, the sparrows are in there, in their masses and it’s a wonderful sight.”

Andrew Enright joked: “Easter eggs will be out on Boxing Day.”

Myla Collings said: “It ruins it for everyone else, especially as the people that do it have it all down by Christmas day and are glad it's over when to the rest of us, that is the Christmas week.”

Edward Trafford said: “At the earliest, it should be a week before Christmas, December 18.”

Alan Wilson said: “It's only in Britain that you'll see Xmas stuff going up in November.

Yes, it is far too early especially as it’s even before Remembrance Sunday.”

Hazel Jones-Evans said: “Tesco was putting out the cards and wrapping paper at 6am Friday and had the Christmas treats out since September.”

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