I went on a mission to review Christmas trees around Stoke-on-Trent's six town centres – and scored them out of 10.

All of the trees around the city are put on by local community groups meaning they have to source the tree and pay for installation due to the city council no longer providing funding.

Overall I was impressed with all of the trees, admittedly some more than others, especially when you consider Stoke does not have a tree at all. One disappointment in every town was many of the shops were closed giving it a ghost town feel, which is a shame.

Admittedly I could have started earlier, but part of the Christmas tree magic is seeing them in all their glory, with their lights on. Having been to a few switch-ons around the city, it is important to remember the joy and delight that these trees bring to the local communities.

Here, I've ranked each tree in the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent. Let's see which comes out on top:

Longton

Image: LDRS.

Rating: 9/10

Conveniently located in the Longton Exchange in my view this tree wouldn't look out of place in London or New York. The tree is proportioned well with multi-coloured lights and a bright twinkling star placed at the top.

Benches surround the tree so it can be admired from all angles. The shopping arcade also has stars placed on the pavement's lights from all directions which light a path to the tree. Walking through the exchange, the Christmas spirit felt alive.

Christmas cheer fills every nook and cranny of Longton Exchange, creating an experience that amplifies the joy of the season, making it a destination that radiates with the true spirit of Christmas.

Hanley

Image: LDRS.

Rating: 9/10

Hanley was decorated with two trees and with Christmas decorations hanging between buildings which really added to the Christmas feeling. The trees were bushy and adorned in warm, inviting white light which covered the trees.

Hanley showcased an impressive commitment to holiday feel and is why it is rated so highly.

Tunstall

Image: LDRS.

Rating: 8/10

Tunstall has opted for an artificial tree – but they don't lose marks for it. The tree – headed by a huge star and white light – looks inviting and warm.

Unfortunately the tree did look lonely and I know there are future plans that the community group has and considering the time and the small fortune in purchasing a tree, I do rate the tree highly.

I hope the future plans for the tree come to fruition and it could be a contender for the top spot next year.

Fenton

Image: LDRS.

Rating: 8/10

The lights on this tree look like lava cascading down in bold vertical lines. All the trees have horrid metal barriers but only Fenton jazzed their barrier in tinsel and added an extra layer of charm to the festive scene.

Being located across from the town hall makes it easy for all to see and very convenient. The radiant glow of the lights will be capturing the attention of both residents and visitors.

The tree acts as a beacon for festive joy and truly acts as a centrepiece for the town's celebrations.

Burslem

Image: LDRS.

Rating: 7/10

Located right in the heart of Burslem, this tree would be impossible to miss in its full glory. Unfortunately, half of the lights were not working when I visited. I do like this tree, but it did have to get marked down for not being fully operational.

The tree is sponsored by a range of local businesses which really adds to the community feel and many of the shops have got decorations in the window which adds to the community nature of the tree.

This tree remains a symbol of local pride and unity, thanks to the support of nearby businesses and the shared efforts of the community and serves as a testament to the collective spirit that defines this town during the holiday season.

Stoke

Image: LDRS.

Rating: 0/10

As I strolled through Stoke it was difficult to notice Christmas was actually around the corner. The only giveaway was the market had lights covering the outside.

The lack of a tree is odd considering the possible locations where you could display the festive centrepiece: near the library, outside the civic centre, even Stoke Minster had no lights.

This was a very easy score to give because there is no tree. It's disheartening because, as I walked through the town, there was an undeniable sense that something vital was missing, particularly in comparison to the other towns and leaves a Christmas void.

Overall the best part of the experience was the Christmas tunes being played outside Sainsbury's.

READ MORE: Five new shops which opened in Stoke-on-Trent this year

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