Newport spending with aim to cut Christmas lights bill

Newport looks set to splash out nearly £25,000 on its Christmas lights in a bid to slash its festive electricity bill by a third every year, it was revealed today.

Officials on Newport Town Council are looking to introduce a scheme to cut the lights electricity bill for ratepayers from £1,600 to £1,000.

The town council has landed a grant of £24,500 for the project and is expected to rubberstamp a proposal on January 26 to splash out on LED lights, which cost much less to run.

Council clerk Lee Jakeman said he hoped the move would see nicer lights in the town and at a reduced cost. The grant has been awarded to the town by Telford & Wrekin Council.

Mr Jakeman said: "It's excellent use of the grant money because at the moment the residents pay for the lights, the businesses do not contribute other than a small Christmas tree above their doors.

"Some of it will be spent on engineering and wall brackets, as well as the lights."

The council usually spends about £40,000 a year on its Christmas lights display. But that figure has now gone down to less than £30,000.