DURHAM City Council is to spend up to £70,000 on Christmas lights - but will not pay a celebrity to switch them on.

The budget is almost double the cost of last year's lights, but council chief executive Brian Spears stressed not a penny of taxpayers' money will go to celebrities.

Last Christmas, the council attracted criticism for contributing £20,000 towards the cost of a ceremony at which actors Kate Ford and Bill Ward - who played Tracey Barlow and Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street - switched on the lights.

The Prince Bishop Shopping Centre paid the celebrities' fees, and intends to do so again this year.

A spokesman for the shopping centre was unable to say who would be turning on the lights this year or how much they will be paid.

But the spokesman said: "We have always paid for the celebrities. There's no taxpayer involvement there. We believe the presence of the celebrities helps to generate interest in the lights.

"The lights play on Durham's unique setting and we're very dedicated to the whole project."

The council is to extend its lights, which traditionally take in Market Place, Leazes Bowl roundabout and Milburngate Bridge, to cover North Road, Silver Street, Saddler Street, Elvet Bridge Street, St Nic's Crossing and Claypath.

New decorations will also be bought for Millennium Place and North Road roundabout.

The city's Christmas tree will be moved to Millennium Place, with a taller tree bought for Market Place.

The lights will be switched on from the town hall balcony, on Sunday, November 18.

Councillor Fraser Reynolds, the leader of the council, said the £70,000 budget was an increase of almost £30,000 from last year.

"The lights bring people of all ages into Durham and are enjoyed by everyone. In my view it's money well spent," he said.

"We're hoping that by extending the lighting scheme, more retailers in the city centre will make an extra effort to dress their shops and premises to attract more visitors into the city."