KELBROOK residents say their village Christmas decorations will make them a laughing stock after Pendle Council put lights in just one tree - which locals claim is dead.

Now council officers have agreed to look at improving the display following comments from embarrassed residents.

Kelbrook and Sough parish councillor Stuart Duncan, of Quernmore Drive, predicted a bleak-looking display and said it would be better if the lights were not put up at all.

The traditional Christmas tree had stood by the side of the main road through Sough.

But due to the cost of bringing in a Christmas tree, at a meeting with Pendle Council earlier this year villagers agreed to put lights in the trees that grew naturally by the same roadside.

However, now only one tree has been decorated and residents feel let down.

Mr Duncan said: "The lights have been put in one tree only and it's a very, very small tree.

"It is an insult to the people of Kelbrook, Sough and Earby. Don't turn the lights on because they would be so bad we'll be the laughing stock of Pendle.

"And the tree they've put them in is dead. It's due to be removed in the spring."

Pendle Council's West Craven committee chairman Coun Margaret Bell said council staff had told her three sets of lights had been put in the tree, the budget had been spent and if the lights were spread out they would look inadequate.

There is now concern that time is running out to put up a better display before the start of the festive season.

Paul Maskell, a Kelbrook and Sough parish counciilor who is a co-opted member of the West Craven committee, said: "We need to get a timetable because it's getting close now. We should set a clear deadline for when a decision's got to be made.

Councillors said they would ask Pendle Council staff to report back to the next West Craven committee meeting about improving the display.