A COMMUNAL Christmas tree at a block of flats has to be taken down every night when the caretaker goes home.

       Residents hit out after housing bosses said the 5ft plastic fir used in previous years could obstruct the foyer in the event of a fire.

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       Housing bosses said the 5ft plastic fir used in previous years could obstruct the foyer in the event of a fire Credit: BBC

       It is put up again each morning when the employee clocks on.

       Those living at Boswell Court, Bedford, say Christmas has been spoilt.

       Michael Haywood, 79, said: "Some authority has come along and said you can't do this, it's dangerous, you can only put it up and take it down when the caretaker is there.

       "It's bah humbug, it's going to spoil Christmas."

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       Housing association BPHA said it was acting on fire service advice.

       But a spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue said they had not received a request for advice from the BPHA.

       The spokeswoman said: "Our enforcement officers have not communicated with BPHA about the placement of their Christmas trees.

       "There is a duty on the responsible person for the building to reduce the risk to persons from fire to as low as is reasonably practicable."

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