A community campaign has led to the putting-up of the first ever public Christmas tree in Merton High Street.

This comes after the same campaign was successful in bringing the first ever Christmas lights display to the area.

The campaign, on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe has been led by South Wimbledon resident Andrew Boyce.

The campaign titled The South Wimbledon Enhancement Plan, Christmas Lights in South Wimbledon managed to pass its goal of £200, raising a total of £445.

The official switching on ceremony was held on Friday (December 1).

Andrew Boyce said: “The ceremony was very small, but turning on the lights was a great thing.

“The reaction has been positive and has brightened up the area, there have been a number of people coming out the tube station and taking pictures.

“It has brought a Christmas cheer to the area, with lots of people commenting about how nice it is to now have a tree in the local area.”

The head of Future Merton, Paul McGarry has helped bring the whole Christmas tree project together and contractor FM Conway Ltd contributed to the Christmas lights around South Wimbledon.

Mr Boyce said he will now transfer some of the excess of money from the Gofundme page to charities in the area with the challenge being to have the tree every year.

He said: “The greatest challenge is to have the tree every year on from now which involves getting ownership from the council, looking at funding bids and bringing the other plans to life.”