THE expense involved in erecting and maintaining Tavistock's Christmas lights was called into question during a meeting in the town last week.

The town council's works superintendent, Wayne Southall, told members of the properties committee that the process was becoming 'more problematic and expensive'.

Mr Southall said the council should consider whether the lights should be solely delivered by the town council in future, and added that it would be 'prudent' for the council to start negotiating with Tavistock BID and the chamber of commerce regarding the festive display next Christmas.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'I've had concerns for a while now in the sense of the sheer finances of it.

'I don't mean the Trees of Light, I think they are a splendid idea and great credit goes to the Lions Club which organises them.

'While I have no objection to the council having input into the town's Christmas lights in terms of labour, now the council is funding them and providing the labour.

It's good to have the lights at Christmas but the fact is that the people who benefit are the traders — there's nothing wrong with that but why should the council tax payer fund it all?'

Cllr Sherrell said the Christmas lights should be a joint venture in future.

'In these difficult financial times we can't pick up the entire tab for it,' he said.

Cllr Brian Trew reminded the committee that the council had stepped in to help as an interim measure, when the chamber had said it could no longer afford to fund the lights.

Town clerk Carl Hearne said the lights cost around £12,000 a year to stage.

'It's a huge amount,' said Cllr Trew.

Mr Hearne confirmed that Mr Southall would shortly be having talks with the chamber of commerce and Tavistock BID regarding the lights.

'We need to do it sooner, rather than later,' said Mr Hearn.