DISAPPOINTED traders in Pershore feel they have been left in the dark because Christmas lights have not been put up on a busy street.

Shop owners said that while they are pleased to see some of the town’s lights back up in the High Street after a three- year absence due to health and safety checks, they wanted the scheme to be rolled out down Bridge Street, as was traditional.

But Pershore Town Council said that was easier said than done because the vigorous health and safety surveys on the lights and listed buildings make it an expensive operation.

Spencer Cooper, who owns the Brandy Cask with his wife Marianne, said: “Like everyone, I am glad to see the lights back up in the High Street, but they should have done more for Bridge Street. We pay our taxes here like all the other traders but we have been left in the dark. They could have moved some of the lamppost decorations along Bridge Street to spread out the display.”

Lights campaigner Trudy Burge said Bridge Street was like the “Black Hole of Calcutta” and wanted to see all of the town’s lights returned.

“It just looks awful,” she said. “I applaud the effort that has gone into getting the festoons back in the High Street but we won’t be happy until they are all back from the very start of Bridge Street right the way up to the top of the High Street by the garage.

“I can understand why the traders and residents of Bridge Street are really hacked off because it’s not how it was.”

Councillor Val Wood, who also owns Carleton House bed and breakfast in Bridge Street, said she understood people’s views but added putting lights up in that area of the town would be expensive.

“This year I think we spent £18,000 on the lights in the High Street which is a lot of taxpayers’ money, but it was nonetheless what they wanted,” she said.

Coun Wood said as a result of that the council had more than doubled its previous budget for the Christmas lights and added there was a limit to what could be achieved.

“I know people miss these lights,” she said. “Whether we achieve getting the lights across the street again at a cost which is not sustainable, especially when every budget is having to be looked at very carefully, I wouldn’t like to say.

“The town council has tried very hard for a very long time to get where we are though.”

Hundreds of people turned up to Pershore’s Christmas lights switch-on last Friday.