Norwegians have hit back at Londoners for moaning about the state of a Christmas tree which was gifted to Trafalgar Square.
The present has been a yearly tradition from the country since 1947 to thank the Brits for their support during World War II – but this year, people were less than impressed and branded it “an absolute state”.
One person joked: “I'm guessing Norway hate us now” whilst another asked: "Is that last year's one they've kept in the bin?"
But Norwegians have jumped to their country’s defence, reports Lad Bible.
One Oslo local, Lars Anton, told The Times: "All the British gave us last Christmas was the Kent variant.
"If they don't want the tree we can come and get it back."
Even the mayor of Oslo, Marianne Borgen, has got involved – admitting that in 2019 she was told the tree looked “like a cucumber”.
But she promised the fir represents “a symbol of solidarity and friendship” and said: “In the end, the tree is not really a tree at all.
"It comes from the forest that embraces Oslo on all sides. So while it might arrive with injuries, it remains a gift of love."
The present is chopped in a special annual ceremony in the city, which is attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the British ambassador to Norway and the Mayor of Oslo.
It is shipped by boat to London and decorated in a traditional Norwegian style.
The Mayor continued: "I am pleased that people are passionate – it is a sign that Londoners care about the present we have sent them.
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"The tree comes from a forest. This is a love tree and it means a lot to us to give it to Londoners.
"Though it started as a thank you to the British people for their help during World War Two, it is now as much about friendship, solidarity, hope for the future and peace.
"The tree symbolises all this and I hope that when the lights are turned on, the symbolic message behind the gift is what people have in mind."
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