AN under-threat Christmas lights display is to go ahead after councillors agreed to release more funds.

Barnard Castle Town Council has agreed to spend an extra £2,000 to upgrade its lights. The cash was needed after health and safety checks revealed only 13 of the town's 51 festive motifs were usable.

At an emergency meeting, the council agreed to purchase an extra 12 motifs which will provide a display in the town centre.

The town mayor, Councillor John Yarker, who organised the Christmas lights, said he was delighted the council had made the decision.

He said: "It was a bit like when your car fails its MOT, except these ones had to be scrapped.

"But these new lights are very hi-tech and have a 36,000-hour life so they will last us a few years."

Many of the motifs were several years old and had been damaged by wind, water, and vehicle strikes.

In some cases the insulation on the motifs was so badly damaged the frames were in danger of becoming live.

Over the next three years, the council hopes to build up its collection to light up outlying streets