BARNARD Castle Town Council was forced to defer a decision about how to spend its Christmas lights budget after a row broke out at its latest meeting.

Councillors were asked to decide how to spend £2,550 for new lights which included the option to refurbish and buy new swan motifs which line Newgate, the road leading to The Bowes Museum.

The five swan motifs were bought by the now defunct Barnard Castle Vision but need to be renovated at a total cost of £800 while four more swans could be bought for a further £1,520.

Councillors were also asked to fund 66 metres of icicle lighting costing a total of £643.50 including installation costs.

Opinions clashed though when Councillor Angela Grady, who is also a member of the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights group, said it did not want to fund the swans.

The group was formed last year after the council decided it could not find an additional £3,500 requested from Durham County Council to carry out essential lamppost windage tests and asked residents to form an advisory committee.

Cllr Grady said: “They are not happy to be buying £400 swans if the Bowes Museum wants them.”

However, Councillor David Kinch said the decision ultimately rested with the council.

“We made the decision that was so successful last year and that the town enjoyed but we want further lighting along Galgate; why did you take our opinion last year and not this year?” Cllr Grady added.

“I would like to ask how things have turned round and now it’s your money.”

Councillor Roger Peat added: “I think there is an understanding we would like the Bowes Museum helping in some way. I think we need to keep all options open.”

Barnard Castle Town Clerk, Michael King, said the group had become an independent organisation since last year and therefore all decisions would have to be made by the council alongside the group’s advice.

“All discussions are still ongoing but we need a three-way discussion between the town council, Barnard Castle Christmas Lights and Bowes Museum,” he said.

“We need to be very clear as a town council which decisions we are taking for the town council expenditure.”

Councillors agreed to fund the icicle lights but deferred any other decisions until their next meeting on May 23.

A spokesman for the museum said that although it had not requested the swans be included in the display, it would be “happy to consider contributing when we have the details”.