£120,000 on new Christmas lights

ALMOST £120,000 could be spent on replacing the old Christmas lights in St Neots after some were thought to be in a dangerous condition.

St Neots Town Council has been discussing a five-year lease, which would see a company provide specialist Christmas lighting for the town. The lights would be maintained and stored by a company, but at the end of the lease the town council would own the lights.

Gavin Clark, head of leisure and amenities at the council, said that a lease plan would save money in the long term.

"We are looking at spending between £100,000 and £120,000 on new Christmas lights for the town under a lease plan. The old lights desperately need replacing and it is better to replace them under a lease plan rather than buy a few new ones each year."

Sarah-Jane Field, a project sales manager for Kent-based company, Millennium Quest, which is one of five companies expected to tender for the lights, has been working on a design for the town.

She believes last year's lights were "too busy" and that the town would look better if just two colours were used. She also said "some of the lights used last year were dangerous" and she advised against using them again.

Some councillors agreed that new lights were needed but did not like the idea of using just two colours.

Cllr Paul Ursell said: "We like to think that St Neots is renowned for having the best Christmas lights. I'm not in favour of using just two colours as it seems a bit cold. We like lots of vibrant and bright colours."

Cllr Alan Cummings agreed: "I think the busier, the better and the brighter, the better as the kids love it."

The issue will be discussed further at the policy and resources meeting taking place today with costs expected to be finalised next week.