LYTHAM traders are up in arms after they were told they were would have to stump up if they wanted Christmas lights.

Only £3,500 has been allocated by Fylde Borough Council for festive activities in Lytham this year - only half what it costs for the traditional lights.

Now traders fear business will collapse if there is nothing to attract shoppers to the exclusive shopping centre.

Chairman for Lytham's Chamber of Trade, John Strong, said it was not the traders' responsibility to fork out for festivities.

He said: "The council has obviously decided to cut back and we will suffer as a result.

"We have worked out it costs just 15 pence per head in Lytham for the fittings and they are already paid for, so what is the problem?

"By not having any lights it will be detrimental to trade. The lights attract people, which is good for everyone, not just us."

John added that, in truth, traders had seen the problems coming.

"Each year the council cuts back on the number of streets which have lights put up. Basically, the only area which has the lights now is Clifton Street, where not many of the shops are members of the Chamber of Trade.

"If we were to pay, not all our members would benefit, which would be unfair."

Simon Kularatne, deputy director of Fylde Borough Council's tourism and leisure department, said: "There is a certain amount of money on the table for each area in Fylde and we are due to talk to the chambers about what they want to spend it on."

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