The six-foot tree, which is lit up of an evening, is the first sign of a $61,000 Christmas campaign councillors approved at their September meeting.

The plans include lights for Victoria Park, decorations for the two roundabouts in Lachlan Street and working with business to get the town in the festive spirit.

Council’s Manager Community Development Nina Hooper described it as similar to Parkes’ Sparkles campaign.

“It is being proposed that Council will partner with the Forbes Business Chamber to rekindle and refresh Christmas festivities … attracting visitors and thereby providing economic benefits,” she said in her report to the Council meeting.