Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 6:00am

Lights could out on town's festive display, warns organiser

by Sam Berkeley

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NORTH BERWICK could lose a little festive sparkle this year unless £4,000 can be found to professionally mount its Christmas lights display.

Complying with new health and safety regulations has become an expensive requirement, and one the town's lights committee cannot afford to meet without fundraising events. Hiring a contractor to set up the display will cost about £4,000.

Committee stalwart Ian Watson told the town's community council: "In order to fulfill all the obligations that we are required to do, it will cost a considerable amount of money.

"We need to progress as soon as we can to get [the required cash]. Time will disappear quite quickly. If we do not get the funding we will not have Christmas lights".

And he added: "We need to set a deadline. If, say, we reach a certain target by August we will know whether we can do it or not."

He also lamented the fact that North Berwick did not have big businesses - such as LaFarge Cement Works or Torness power station - to approach for cash.

Mr Watson added that talks had taken place with the same contractors responsible for Edinburgh's Princes Street's dazzling display.