A SUGGESTION that the town council should take over organising and erecting Marlborough's Christmas lights failed to get a glimmer of support from members on Monday.

The idea came from former mayor and ex councillor Derek Smithers.

At the last full council meeting on January 4 he asked if the council would consider running the lights in future.

However, Coun Marian Hannaford revealed the Chamber of Commerce is quite happy to carry on providing the lights with some financial support from the council. The council agreed to continue its contribution of £1,000 a year.

Chamber president Philip Marsh told the Gazette: "I can understand why Derek Smithers made the approach to the council because in a lot of other towns it is the councils who put up the lights.

"One good thing though is that it has kick-started some new dialogue between the council and the chamber."