A FREE Christmas tree offer for Rubery, which was rejected by the district council, will now be erected in the grounds of the Princess of Wales Hospital instead.

It follows what some council insiders claim is behind-the-scenes shenanigans, petty jealousies and personality clashes. Believing the village was set to miss out on its usual free tree from the council, Independent district councillor Dave McGrath (Beacon) set about finding sponsors to provide one.

But after accepting an offer from resident Mike Forbes, Dave was shocked to discover the council was after all prepared to spend an estimated £2,000 on a tree of its own.

Undaunted, Dave looked for another good cause and came up with the hospital. He has arranged for Rubery Building Supplies to fell and erect the 30ft tree while Bromsgrove electrical firm Barrie Beard will supply and wire the lights.

Cllr McGrath said: "I'm absolutely delighted at finding such a worthwhile home for this lovely tree."

Recently we told how Tory councillor Dennis Norton had got sponsors for last Friday's festive lights switch on in Bromsgrove's High Street to save the popular event when it seemed the council was not prepared to stage it.

But deputy council leader June Griffiths said if Councillor McGrath had studied the council's budget he would have seen that Rubery was never going to lose its tree "The intention was to scale down the switch-on celebrations in Bromsgrove and Rubery," she said.