THE Christmas lights in Wootton Bassett have disappointed residents this year. People have expressed their dismay at the use of smaller bulbs in the lights and said they they did not shine as brightly.

Electrical contractors advised the town council in June that the existing lighting stock had deteriorated to the extent that it should not be used again.

But the information did not come until the council had set all its budgets for the year ahead.

And the budgets were so tight that there was insufficient money to replace the town's lights on a like for like basis.

So the council decided to change to the new lights, as they could be provided at a fraction of the cost of the previous lights and because there would be savings in the on-going running costs.

Coun Susan Cooksley (Con) said: "I fully support the decision that was made by the committee last summer and felt that under the circumstances it was the only option that allowed us to continue with a lighting scheme at all.

"Unlike many towns in Wiltshire, that we are often compared too, we receive very little business sponsorship and the full costs fall on the residents of the town."