TRADERS in Lytham and St Annes are angry after the future of the Christmas lights has been plunged into uncertainty - yet again.

At a meeting of Fylde's policy and resources committee on Monday (July 21), the councillors decided by a close-run vote of12 to 11, not to keep the lights up to the standard they have been in previous years.

The traders, who have been fighting a 'Save our Christmas lights' campaign, and whose petition has been supported by hundreds of signatures from local people, are fuming.

The committee's decision means that the towns would keep their decorated Christmas trees, but their lights and decorations would be on a much smaller scale.

But this decision could still be reversed, as a meeting of the whole council, due to take place on Monday (July 28), will have a final say in the matter.

Chairman of the St Annes Chamber of Trade, Arnold Sumner, said: "Some of the councillors say the traders don't contribute anything to the Christmas Iights, but businesses on the Fylde pay £16 million a year in rates. Where does all that go?"

And the vice chairman of the Lytham Chamber of Trade, Allan MacDonald, added: "At the end of the day they are the public's lights.

"They completely ignored the public's opinion and we were not particularly pleased or impressed."

Fred Moor, Fylde Borough Council's director of tourism and leisure, said: "Last year the council was spending more than it was receiving and decided it had to cut its budget by £ million.

"The lights were one of a raft of cost-cutting measures. We invited the traders to add a contribution to the council's contribution, but they said they thought it was our responsibility.

"Now the whole council will have to take a decision on the matter on Monday."

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