TRAFFORD Council has denied keeping people in the dark over the need to raise £70k privately for this year’s Christmas lights.

The authority has previously spent around £50,000 on Christmas lights across Trafford, but that subsidy was cut on the back of £22.5 million savings for 2015/16.

The council wants businesses to spend a minimum £50 each sponsoring this year’s displays under its ‘Festive 50’ scheme.

A council spokesman said there had been ‘an extensive consultation with residents, businesses and other interested parties and the comments and views from this consultation were taken into consideration before the decision was made’.

The spokesman added: “As part of its commitment to help maintain thriving town centres across the borough, the council is currently working with business partners of all sizes to raise sufficient sponsorship for this year's town centre Christmas lights and is hopeful of achieving this.

“However if the money is not raised through sponsorship, the council does not have funding to subsidise Christmas lights.”

Trafford businesses that donate will receive a branded ‘Festive 50’ sticker and poster to display in their window, as well as being added to the Festive 50 Facebook page.

Among highlights of Trafford’s Christmas light displays is Altrincham Lantern Parade, which regularly attracts more than 1,000 people to the town centre.

The Altrincham and Sale chamber of commerce is supporting the ‘Festive 50’.

Altrincham Forward’s team can be contacted via altrincham.forward@trafford.gov.uk or on 0161 912 1599.

Other sponsorship opportunities are available with Trafford Council for this year’s Christmas lights. Contact business@trafford.gov.uk or visit trafford.gov.uk/residents/community/Festive50 for more information.