COLCHESTER MP Will Quince has hit back after his bid to bring a Christmas tree to the town centre was met with a threat to have him burned on a bonfire.

Mr Quince took to his Twitter page to start a debate about the festive atmosphere in Colchester ahead of Christmas.

In a poll, he asked his followers whether the town should have a Christmas tree.

Culver Square Shopping Centre has a tree, but Conservative MP Mr Quince argues more should be done to bring an “official” town tree to Colchester.

He branded one follower “sad” after they responded: “A Christmas bonfire with Will Quince as the Guy would be most fitting.”

Mr Quince said: “I am afraid to say that is the darker side to the support the Labour party is attracting.

“His profile picture said he is ‘backing Corbyn’ and I think it is a really sad reaction.

“I was simply offering suggestions and starting a debate about a town Christmas tree and he suggests I be set on fire.

“I would argue that this is an important issue as this is the most important time of the year for traders in Colchester.

“This is the time when people are looking to come in and spend their money.

“We want them to have the best Christmas experience possible.

“It doesn’t have to cost money. As we have seen in Clacton the cost was covered by a generous local business. Where is the council’s ambition?

“It should be pushing for things like this to make Colchester the place everyone wants to come and visit this Christmas.”

Mr Quince suggested several locations including Jumbo Water Tower, outside the Mercury Theatre or Town Hall and Castle Park.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “We are continually committed to ensuring there is a magical festive atmosphere in Colchester at Christmas, not only to make it attractive for residents and visitors but as it’s also a vital time for our retailers, bars and restaurants.

“With the continuing pressures on our budgets, we work closely with partners to achieve this aim, with the Christmas Lights Switch on event organised through Colchester Presents and the Christmas tree in Culver Square prime examples of this.

“We also have the ice slide in Castle Park incorporating vintage rides, stalls and other attractions, from this weekend.

"People will be able to visit Colchester Castle free of charge on 13 December and also enjoy carols and mince pies, while young people will also be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto at the Castle until December 23.

“And we’re also offering free parking after 3pm for the next four Wednesdays, from today, in all of our town centre car parks, as part of Christmas late night shopping.”