RECRUITS at an elite Marines base had to remove their Christmas tree over health and safety concerns.
Rookies at the Commando Training Centre installed a 20ft pine covered in decorations.
But a civilian facilities manager at the base in Lympstone, Devon, ordered them to get rid of it as their festive efforts were deemed to be a fire risk.
A source said: “They were angry and bemused.
“A lot of lads were making Grinch comments when they were told to remove the tree.
“It was huge and placed where it could go up a stairwell and decorate a couple of floors at the base.
“Their military bosses were pretty impressed at their efforts, as the tree was epic and looked great.
“But it was actually a civilian manager who said it breached health and safety regulations and was a fire risk.”
Recruits at the base have to complete a gruelling 36-week training course, which includes a 30-mile march across Dartmoor and a night-time cliff assault.
The source went on: “It is ridiculous. These are recruits on one of the toughest military training courses in the world who are being trained for war zones, yet they are subjected to all sorts of health and safety rules.
“The tree was supposedly a fire risk and blocking an exit, but if you can yomp 30 miles across Dartmoor, I am sure you can get round a Christmas tree to find your way out in a fire.”
A Royal Navy spokesman told The Sun: “The tree was blocking a fire exit, so had to be moved. It now has pride of place outside.”
