The city council has defended its controversial decision to cancel Worcester's annual Christmas lights switch-on, arguing Storm Bert posed a 'serious' risk to public safety.
The Christmas lights switch-on event in Worcester on Saturday was cancelled because of the storm which brough torrential rain and flooding across Worcestershire.
However, other, similar switch-on events took place in other towns in Worcestershire (while others were also cancelled), as some criticised the decision to cancel.
The lights are now on in Worcester and have been largely welcomed as the city gears up for the Victorian Christmas Fayre which opens on Thursday.
However, one person commenting on the Worcester News website said of the decision: "Pathetic snowflakes."
Liam Wozencroft wrote: "The weather is NOT going to be a problem at that time, what is the real reason please?"
Some asked why only 24 hours notice was given for the cancellation of the switch-on event and others why a switch-on event was able to proceed in neighbouring Malvern but not Worcester.
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “We reluctantly took the decision to cancel Worcester’s Christmas lights switch-on event because of very serious concerns about potential risks to public safety caused by Storm Bert.
"We were not the only authority in Worcestershire to make such a choice, as festive events were also cancelled in Bromsgrove and Evesham, as well as up and down the country.
"We took the decision with a heavy heart and we apologise for the disappointment it will have caused. We gave people just over 24 hours’ notice of the cancellation, to avoid them making them unnecessary trips into the city centre in terrible weather conditions.
“Now that the lights are on it’s great to see that people are enjoying them and starting to get into the festive spirit. Christmas really comes to town from Thursday when the Victorian Christmas Fayre opens in Worcester’s city centre. We hope people will come along to embrace the festive spirit, have fun and find some great gift ideas. Despite the current floods, the Fayre will be open and all the main roads into the city centre should be running as normal.”
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Fred Jones, landlord of the Imperial Tavern, said the cancellation of the switch-on had not had a negative impact on trade and that the weather had 'more of an impact, with people staying at home'.
"I don't blame people for not venturing around in that weather," he said.
Tim Evans of Toys and Games based in Broad Street in Worcester said the Christmas lights looked 'fantastic' and they had not affected business as the lights were switched on when many businesses were closed anyway.
He also said customers had 'braved the weather' and the Christmas shopping season seemed to have started earlier this year.
"We are working hard, getting the shop ready for the Victorian Christmas Fayre, clearing as much floor space as we can," he said.
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