It was a part of the set the BBC erected in Cromer alongside the helter-skelter and the lights, but it was taken down at the end of filming.

But the Christmas tree on the pier proved so popular that an online poll was set up on a Cromer website and received 500 votes to keep it.

That proved impossible but North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has bowed to pressure and a spokesman confirmed today that a tree would be erected on the pier in early December.

'It will be a real tree but we don't know the height yet,' a spokesman said.

Hundreds of people watched the BBC filming on Cromer pier last week, but the production team remained tight-lipped over what they were shooting.

Cast members and crew arrived in town on Tuesday, and filming on the Christmas-themed show finished at 2am on Friday.