There is fresh life in Glastonbury's Holy Thorn, which began to show new buds this week.

There was widespread outrage when the thorn was vandalised in December, in an act which shocked the town and caused outcry across the world.

There had been fears the tree had been killed in the attack, which bought the famously diverse community of Glastonbury together in one voice.

A feature of the Glastonbury skyline since 1951, the tree has been visited by thousands retracing the steps said to have been taken by Joseph of Arimathea, who some say was Jesus' great uncle.

According to legend, Saint Joseph travelled to the spot after Christ was crucified, taking with him the Holy Grail of Arthurian folklore.

He is said to have stuck his wooden staff – which had belonged to Jesus – into the ground on Wearyall Hill before he went to sleep.

When he awoke it had sprouted into a thorn tree, which became a shrine for Christians across Europe.

To add to its sacred status, the tree flowered twice a year – once at Christmas and once at Easter.

It survived for hundreds of years before it was chopped down by Puritans in the Civil War, but secret cuttings of the original were taken and planted around the town.

It is from one of those plants that a replacement tree was planted in the original spot more than 50 years ago.

But vandals hacked the tree down in the early hours of December 9, leaving the community shocked.

To date, those responsible have not been found.

The Mayor of Glastonbury, Councillor John Coles, said he was delighted to see the tree had survived the attack.

He also said experts from Kew Gardens had managed to graft cuttings from the branches that were damaged in the attack.

"It is really good news – fantastic news," he said. "I am so pleased to see the tree has woken up after its winter rest.

"This is wonderful news for the town."