Christmas tree leaves a trail of destruction

A MAN with an oversized Christmas tree has left a trail of destruction in his wake after blundering through a small town in southern Germany with it hanging off the back of his truck.

The driver, who had apparently underestimated the size of the tree, towed it on his trailer through the town of Kandern on Saturday. The man bashed into several road signs and damaged a bridge. Oncoming motorists had to slam on the brakes to avoid smashing into the tree, local police said.

The driver was found after police simply followed the trail of branches. He will have to pay for the damage caused, say police, and will be charged for fleeing the scene of an accident.