A CHRISTMAS tree put in place to raise funds for charity has returned after it was believed to have been stolen.

The tree has been sitting outside Waitrose on West Street, Bridport since Saturday, December 5. During that time, residents have been encouraged to bring their own baubles and lights to help decorate the tree as part of a community project organised by cocktail bar, Dark Bear. They were also encouraged to use a QR code next to the tree to donate to Bridport food bank, Cupboard Love.

It disappeared from the area in an apparent theft on Sunday, December 27.

The tree miraculously returned yesterday afternoon with a couple revealing they had come across the tree in a river whilst out walking their dog. The pair claimed they wheeled it back to the original site where it now stands once more, with decorations intact.

For more information about Cupboard Love and the work that they do, visit www.facebook.com/bridportfoodbank/