This years Christmas Giving Tree appeal was left "high and dry" after a snub from an The Only Way is Essex 'star'.

Chloe Sims, from the Channel 4 programme was due to launch the appeal on Saturday. (19 November) Excited shoppers gathered at the St Nicholas Centre, waiting to get a glimpse of the reality TV star, but Sims did not show up.

Lisa O'Hanlon, a spokesman for the St Nicholas Centre said she had felt dissappointed by the snub.

She said: "They really let the kids down. They left us high and dry."

Earlier in the week, the centre had been told Sims would not be able to attend due to filming a Christmas special for TOWIE, but had been promised another star of the show.

However, with an hour to go before the launch, the centre was told that nobody from the hit Channel 4 reality show would be attending.

The Giving Tree appeal is now in its eleventh year and is an important and worthwhile appeal for women and children in refuges in the lead up to Christmas.

The appeal which supports women and children who have been forced to leave their homes because of domestic violence and aims to provide children with a present to open on Christmas Day.

Miss O'Hanlon, said: "We are hoping one of the stars from the programme will appear in a few weeks. It's all about the children, and they were let down."