CHRISTMAS seems to come earlier every year, but the sight of festive decorations going up in Kendal's Wainwright's Yard before the end of October has split public opinion.

The decorations, based on those found on the exclusive Bond Street, London, started to appear last week.

But while some shoppers embraced the early Christmas cheer, others said it 'spoils' the traditional December build-up.

A Gazette survey today revealed that 76 per cent of people think the illuminated Christmas trees are too premature, with most people saying organisers should have waited until after Bonfire Night.

Tina McIvor, from Kendal, said: "It's lovely but it's too early. I want it to be a bit later because it spoils it otherwise. I'd have said wait until after November 5 and then let everybody get on with it."

But the organisers, Ten Stories High, a PR company handling the decorations on behalf of businesses on Wainwright's Yard, Elephant Yard and K-Village, have a good explanation for decorations going up before Hallowe'en had even finished -they have to fit in with the busy schedule of the contractors, who are decorating many towns around the North West in the coming weeks.

Emma Dewhurst, PR manager for Wainwright's Yard, said: "The contractors come and book themselves into a Travelodge and do some work in the day but a lot in the wee small hours. The main feature is yet to go up and people can expect huge great balls hung between buildings so people out on the high street will be drawn in."

Business owners have rallied around the decorations, claiming they have already had more customers as a result.

Adam Thorpe, manager at Slate Bar and Cafe, said: "It's the nicest street in Kendal. The staff walk to work and as soon as they see it they get a smile on their faces - they're naturally happier. People spend more when it's Christmas too, especially if they're with children and it was perfect timing as the kids were on half term."

Joanne Nelson, deputy manager and self-confessed Christmas fanatic, added: "It's going dark earlier too so it's nice to walk out of work into a pretty environment. Some people are just Scrooge's - I think it's perfect."

Work is expected to be completed on Wainwright's Yard in the coming days, just in time for the Kendal Christmas lights switch-on, taking place on Sunday, November 15.