A spokesperson for Historic England said: “Horncastle is a historic market town with a wealth of listed buildings, historic buildings of local interest and the remains of a Roman wall circuit.

The donated tree, which appears to have some missing branches, was defended by people in the town. John Bryant, of West Ashby, Horncastle, appeared at Boston Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Horncastle Town were left licking some considerable wounds on Saturday after they fell to a 10-0 defeat at second-placed Crowle Colts.