SCROOGE traders have been blamed for Colne's poor display of Christmas lights last year - but councillors are willing to give them one more chance.

In recent years, 60 shops and business in Albert Street, Church Street, Keighley Road and Lidgett have been provided with a tree and lights by Pendle Council.

All they have had to do is pay for the electricity to light-up the tree outside their premises.

However, last year two-thirds of the businesses proved to be festive party poopers chose not to plug in their lights on their five-foot trees.

So, in a report to the council's colne committee officers recommended that shops be notified that the trees would no longer be provided and installed

by the council.

Trees placed on the Health Centre and Whittakers' were the only ones recommended to survive because they already use highway electricity supplies.

The possibility of providing electricity supplies for the trees, which would be under the council's control, was explored, but was found to be too expensive.

However, at a meeting of the committee on Wednesday, councillors were filled with festive forgiveness and voted to give traders one last chance to embrace the Christmas spirit.

Coun Alan Davies said: "I think we should have another attempt to have a meaningful display in Colne.

"We should have another go at getting traders involved.

"They are quick to criticise us when there is something they are not happy about so it is only fair that we should turn round to them and ask them to get involved.

"It will only cost them around £4 for the electricity over the Christmas period to light up these trees. Let's just try once more to get the traders to take a greater involvement in lighting up the town."

This view was supported by the committee.