UPTON'S Tourism and Trade Association (TTA) is considering asking for direct donations from traders to pay for flags and Christmas lights in the town centre after the failure of its recent fundraising events.

The association's last two fundraisers have both had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest and TTA chairman Bill Dovey told Monday night's executive committee meeting that a new way of raising money has to be found.

"Fundraising just does not work," said Mr Dovey. "We've had two events organised and we didn't sell anything.

"There's only one way of fundraising now and that is a direct donation from the businesses. If they want the flags and trees they must pay."

A dance at the Star Inn had to be cancelled due to lack of interest in November and an English cheese and wine evening at Welland Court in April also had to be pulled after no tickets were purchased.

The association needs funds for activities including buying more than 80 Christmas trees with lights, which are put up over every shop during the festive season, and flags to decorate the town.

It funds its membership of the Chamber of Commerce through selling advertising space in its annual directory, which lists businesses and shops around the town and is distributed free from the Tourism Information Centre and certain shops.

Sue Walker, chairman of the TTA events committee, with responsibility for the Water Festival, added volunteers were "desperately" needed to carry out bucket collections after its firework display.

She said they would only need to stand with a bucket for half an hour at 11pm in order to help make sure enough funds were raised for the festival next year.