Town faces fairy light 'dilemma'

The power points will cost thousands of pounds

A Derbyshire town may have to pay out thousands of pounds if it wants to have lights on its Christmas trees.

Matlock, which is renowned for its Christmas decorations, is facing new safety regulations which demand all lights are fitted by an electrician.

The council cannot afford to pay a qualified electrician for the three weeks it takes to install the lights.

Even a compromise scheme where power points are fitted outside shops could cost £16,000, it is claimed.

'Continuing burden'

Christmas trees are displayed in front of shops and houses and covered with lights all along the town's main shopping area.

They are plugged into the individual property's electricity supply.

Putting permanent power points on the outside of the shops would speed up installation but as well as being expensive, would require the co-operation of every shop and property in the town centre.

Councillor Martin Moss said: "While most health and safety legislation is very beneficial, it does keep placing continuing burdens on our resources.

"We have got nothing in our budget to do this work - we will have to find the money from somewhere or cease doing the lights."