SIR - I recently commented on the deterioration of Pershore's Christmas lights (Letters, December 2).

Since then, as expected, I have been given "chapter and verse" on why.

Last Christmas, one of the wall hooks failed in Bridge Street and part of the lights came down across the road. As it was in the early hours, luckily nobody was hurt.

Efforts during the year to replace the hook involved not only the town planning department but also the dreaded elf n safety'. The Riot Act was read and both departments preached from their respective books.

All the houses in Pershore High Street are listed buildings and this gave them the chance to test each and every hook for strength - and each and every hook failed.

It was therefore decided not replace any of them, mainly on cost grounds, and choose an alternative.

Hence the "triple star-burst" lights on the street lights - which, on a second inspection well after dark, are really not bad at all.

However, my comments about Noddy Holder's Merry Christmas in shops and The Very Best Of... DVDs on television, still stand.

Happy Christmas to all.

Stanley D Parr, Pershore