![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/sun-features-josh-saunders-matt-863340802.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-212.png\")
<\/p>\nFUMING locals have vented their frustration after a Coca-Cola Christmas truck was banned in a UK county.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0festive themed lorry has been told it's not welcome in Cumbria by a leading\u00a0health\u00a0boss, leaving residents devastated.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Director of public health, Colin Cox, said the sugary drink was "without a doubt" part of the region's childhood\u00a0obesity\u00a0problem.<\/p>\n
Mr Cox said he "stands by" comments made in 2017 when he lambasted the company's use of the festive season to promote the fizzy beverage. <\/p>\n
The Christmas truck kicked off its tour on November 23 in\u00a0Glasgow\u00a0and has since been spotted in various UK towns including Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester.<\/p>\n
But locals were less than happy with the decision to ban the festive red lorry.<\/p>\n
Some branded the decision "ridiculous" and "pathetic".<\/p>\n While another commented: "Grinch! It's a Christmas thing and kids loved to see the truck. <\/p>\n "Do you really think by not having the truck the kids won't drink coke."<\/p>\n A third wrote: "It's OK to have the odd coke, the odd pizza etc etc.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "Shame the children won't get to see this truck."<\/p>\n Another Facebook user wrote: "In 6 years the obesity levels have not changed you might not want to hear this but its unlikely to be the fault of the coke truck."<\/p>\n However, others praised director Cox for opposing the festive lorry.<\/p>\n Commenting on Facebook, one said: "Brilliant. Well done Colin Cox. About time we got rid of some of the fast food places too. <\/p>\n "Obesity is a massive problem these days without offering coke some free advertising."<\/p>\n The lorry has been a festive sight for 26 years since its debut in the 'Holidays Are Coming' advert.<\/p>\n But Mr Cox, along with Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, penned an open letter six years ago stating the bright red truck was not welcome in Cumbria.<\/p>\n The truck last visited the county in 2016.<\/p>\n Speaking to\u00a0CumbriaLive, Mr Cox said: "Coca Cola is exceptionally good at marketing and the Coca-Cola\u00a0Christmas\u00a0truck is just one of their many marketing tools. <\/p>\n "They\u2019re trying to associate sugar syrup, which is what Coca Cola is, with happy, festive times in peoples\u2019 heads."<\/p>\n He added: "We have an extremely high rate of childhood obesity and sugary drinks are, without a doubt, part of that issue. So, I stand by what I said back in 2017, I do not want to see the Coca Cola Christmas truck in Cumberland this Christmas."<\/p>\n "It comes shortly after another stop for the Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour was announced, with the festive attraction set to hit more cities this week."<\/p>\n The tour will have 17 stops this year – meaning there are 11 more still yet to be announced – and this includes eight new stops compared to last year. <\/p>\n The rest of the dates are yet to be announced.<\/p>\n Florence Wheatley, Brand Manager at Coca-Cola Company, Great Britain, said: "Coca-Cola has been spreading Christmas cheer for decades and, this year, we\u2019ve added even more exciting elements to make it as magical and merry as possible. <\/p>\n "Alongside the beloved 'Holidays Are Coming' advert, we have introduced new elements like the 'World Needs More Santas' TVC and an interactive Santa Quiz.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/OP-OMF-FUNERAL-P.jpg\")
<\/picture>FATAL ACCIDENT <\/span><\/p>\nWoman dies in 'industrial accident' at Co-op funeral parlour <\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/eyatfn-entrance-tower-gardens-grand-864279454.jpg\")
<\/picture>RAPE CHARGE <\/span><\/p>\nIllegal immigrant 'raped woman in park after giving her "vial" of liquid'<\/h3>\n
Most read in The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/l-r-queen-camilla-king-864319305.jpg\")
<\/picture>AWESOME FOURSOME <\/span><\/p>\nCharles & Kate beam as they pose with Camilla & William after \u2018race\u2019 storm<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-micxw9yra-1701776380771.jpg\")
<\/picture>TAKE THE HEAT <\/span><\/p>\nAnt & Dec reveal why Fred was fuming with Josie\u2019s meal in scenes not shown<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/da-nella-comp.jpg\")
<\/picture>NOT ROSY <\/span><\/p>\nReason I’m A Celeb’s Nella had no one to greet her on the bridge after eviction<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/VP-STABBING-v2_COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>\u2018TARGETED ATTACK\u2019\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n\u2018Pregnant woman stabbed on school run\u2019 by man known to her<\/h3>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/netflix-logo-second-largest-entertainment-836688452.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cpdrek-20-twenty-pound-notes-791534059.jpg\")
<\/picture>