A community Christmas tree damaged by vandals has been resplendently restored using handmade decorations and will now stand as a moving festive tribute to a recently deceased resident.

When baubles were removed from the newly unveiled tree in Sandylands, Kendal and smashed at an adjoining children's play area, Residents' Association chair Cllr Adam Edwards said he expected a wave of condemnation.

But in a heartwarming seasonal twist, the association's Facebook page was instead deluged with offers to make handmade decorations to replace the damaged baubles.

And this week, after Cllr Edwards revealed the revamped tree would be dedicated to well loved Sandylands resident John Mellor who died suddenly last year, Mr Mellor's widow Jenny has offered her grateful thanks.

"John would approve of the handmade decorations," she said in a message to the association.

"John's birthday was Christmas Eve so this was always a special time for us as a family and this dedication is very special to me and my family."

Cllr Edwards said the unveiling of the first ever community tree was a very poignant moment for Sandylands as it marked a significant landmark in the area's recovery from the devastating floods of 2015.

However, shortly after it was unveiled, it was noted that the decorations, which had been donated by Hayes Garden World, had been damaged and residents had the sad duty of clearing the broken baubles from the play area to ensure the facility was safe to be used.

Cllr Edwards said he was then forced to announce on Facebook that the rest of the baubles were being removed for safety reasons.

Yet instead of anger, local residents decided to react constructively, and the Community Association chair said he was taken aback by the "unexpected" scale of the offers to help make replacement decorations from fabric and other materials.

He added that many residents had even appealed for donations of such materials so they could make more decorations to ensure the tree was decorated in a fitting manner.

"This shows that our community genuinely needed a symbol to get behind which, given this idea was born of supporting our community, is very appropriate," said Cllr Edwards, who added that he was moved by what he described as a "fantastic response."

He added that he and his wife Leone had long considered dedicating the tree to Mr Mellor, who was a close friend of the family and was also a very active member of the community and Sandylands Methodist Church.

Cllr Edwards said he was delighted when Mrs Mellor accepted the request, and said everyone who had contributed to the redecoration of the tree could be proud that they had not only helped Sandylands but had also honoured the memory of a man he described as a "champion of our community."

He added that there would be carol singing by the Sandylands Methodist Church choir around the tree on Wednesday, December 19th at 6.30pm with refreshments and mince pies. All are welcome.