NEWTON Aycliffe's Christmas lights display will be greatly reduced this year because of tough rules imposed by Durham County Council.
From this year, anyone wanting to hang festive decorations on lampposts has to apply for a permit.
A check on Aycliffe's lampposts has shown that more than half of those normally used for Christmas lights are not strong enough to pass the stringent council test.
The lights are usually attached to 37 posts on Central Avenue up to St Mary's Church, Stephenson Way and St Cuthbert's Avenue. This year, only 18 lampposts can be used.
Great Aycliffe Town Council spokesman Andrew Bailey said: "The council will be looking at the situation between now and next year to see what we can do to improve things. It was too late in the day to do anything about it this year."
The council has bought nine smaller decorations to use this year.
The lights are being installed and should be switched on next Monday
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