Festive lights to get WOW factor

Phil Morris, a member of the Town Centre and Tourism Action Group said, with the help of the traders, this year's scheme would "knock your socks off".

"I have been here for 20 years and have seen nothing like the public criticism over the Christmas lights last year. They were disastrous," he told the meeting.

"The regeneration committee took the view that we should have some form of festive lights and decorations in the town centre and a committee was asked to come up with a solution, not just for this year but the next 10 years.

"They came up with a scheme that will knock your socks off. A lot has been said about grants and allocation of funding, but as a business community we have got to make an effort ourselves to raise money.

"Then we can get match funding. It is no use saying others can do it, we have to make the first effort.

"Last year was a pathetic display. We want to transform it this year.

"But we need everyone's help. To get this off the ground depends on what we get this year. We can only do what we can afford.

The scheme will be announced within the month proposals will involve local children in the festive lighting and replace the old transverses with modern decorations.

"It will certainly have the WOW factor," he said.