DEPARTMENT store chain John Lewis says a shortage of real Christmas trees had prompted a boom in sales of artificial alternatives.

The company, which has a branch in WestQuay shopping centre, reported sales of £66.5m last week, an increase of 7.3 per cent on the same period last year, with a big boost from fake trees.

Figures showed a 63 per cent year-on-year increase in "fashion trees" as families switch from a real tree to plastic and bronze, teal or even black.