THE TRUE cost of Darlington’s Christmas lights has been revealed.

A Freedom of Information request uncovered a breakdown of the £35,000 cost associated with the town’s festive decorations.

Darlington Borough Council’s proposed budget cuts suggest axing the display.

In light of the plans, resident Craig Pollock asked the authority to detail the costs involved.

Initially, Mr Pollock received a short response stating: “The £35,000 is the cost of putting the lights up and taking them down by street lighting.”

A review led to a more comprehensive breakdown of the cost.

For 2014/15, it cost £1,171 for the Christmas tree, £565.95 for the erection and removal of the tree, £884.11 for electricity, £7,073 for ‘white light curtains’, £4,051.30 for repairs and PAT testing, £73.74 for clean-up and £797.27 for consumables.

In addition, the authority paid £18,919.44 for labour including on-costs, making an overall total of £33,535.81.

The Northern Echo requested further breakdown of labour costs and were told around £12,751 was paid for labour and staffing costs while £302 was spent on ‘waiting time, i.e. inclement weather’, £38 for training, £870 for PPE, equipment and tool hire, £700 for premises including depot and waste disposal, £510 for fuel, £2,535 for fleet vehicles and equipment and £1,210 for support services.

Cllr Chris McEwan, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said the authority would work with traders and organisations to ensure the town still has plenty to offer during the festive period.

Mr Pollock said: “This cut could have an impact on traders at Christmas.

“Shoppers are influenced by the sights and sounds Christmas - removing the decorations will have a negative impact on footfall and revenue.

“There must be ways to reduce the costs.”