THE Lights are on, the Lights are off. The artist(?) Martin Creed pockets £20,000 from the public purse, courtesy of the awards committee of the Turner Prize for Art. Perhaps, to supplement the 2002 Illuminations Fund, the council should enter the Lights in the Turner competition as "the world's biggest work of art".

That might attract more welcome publicity than "the UK's worst public toilets". It would certainly make more sense than "the world's biggest load of rubbish masquerading as art" on which the council squandered public money at New South Promenade.

But before anyone suggests that Mr Creed should be asked to switch next year's Illuminations on and off, may I remind you that Blackpool has its own brand of Lights Lunacy.

My hotel has just enjoyed its best November ever but, when my guests have asked why the Lights are not still shining, I can only tell them that the council claims it is to avoid storm damage. As they looked out of the windows at the bright sunlight I could see the disbelief in their eyes.

Having the Switch-on one month later and the Switch-off after the New Year would bring several benefits. It would provide an attraction in a blank period in the calendar. The Lights could be switched on earlier in the evening so that children could travel along them at a sensible hour. And they would be displayed at their best during the darkest period of the year.

Ken Coups, Chairman, Blackpool 1st Alliance.

c/o Winter Park Hotel, Albert Road, Blackpool.