A COUNCIL has moved to defend its decision to put up a Santa's Grotto next to a war memorial shortly before Armistice Day. 

It said the situation had been 'hijacked for party political ends' and labelled criticism it has faced as 'distasteful and disrespectful to the Fallen'. 

Some have claim the wooden structure and its metal crowd barriers have detracted from the remembrance services that took place today and are planned for Sunday. 

However, Salisbury City Council said its staff had liaised with the Royal British Legion in advance of the work which has seen the shack and tee-pee tent put up in the Guildhall Square.

The council's opposition group called it an error of judgement and said it was "beyond disappointing" that it had been put up.

The Tory group said: "[It will] spoil the two services marking the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces taking place this weekend." 

In response, councillor Annie Riddle, an Independent member of the City Council administration, said: “We are saddened to see the city’s Remembrance tributes being hijacked for party political ends.

“We find this politicising of an operational decision distasteful, and disrespectful to the Fallen.

“The infrastructure for our Christmas events, which begin on Friday, November 18, takes a week to install, allowing for the grotto’s interior decoration and a complex electrical system to be put in place. Delaying the start of Christmas activities would not help our struggling businesses.

“A tent was put up at the same time last year and councillors expressed no objection.

“There are military veterans in every political party locally, as well as among City Council staff, and we thank them for their service."

Lib Dem councillor for Milford ward, Al Bayliss, added: "I’m sorry but this is just cheap political points scoring and using this time that we have to remember those who’ve served and fallen is pretty disgraceful."

Cllr Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council leader and councillor for Downton and Ebble Valley,  previously told the Journal: "For those of us who have served Remembrance Day is a chance to gather and reflect on the sacrifice in the service of our country of people we knew and of the many more who died for our freedom in the world wars.

"It is extremely sad that event has been carried out this year against a commercial backdrop and I hope the city council avoid this in the future."

The grotto is part of a range of Christmas activities being planned for Salisbury this winter. 

It will open on November 18, which also marks the start of Christmas on the Square, which takes place in front of the Guildhall and features a destination bar complete with firepits and a food area.