TRADITION is to hold sway in Yarm where councillors are sticking to their decision not to invite a radio roadshow to herald the switching on of the festive lights.

At last week's town council meeting, members heard there had been many comments about the decision, mainly concerning its effect on young people. But it was agreed to leave the arrangements as they are this year.

The only concession was a suggestion that something on the lines of a roadshow could be set up during the festive season, and to look at the idea for future years.

The chairman, Coun Gwen Porter, who was not at the meeting, repeated her surprise at the councillors' decision. She was stunned when members first snubbed the idea for the TFM roadshow at the December 1 switch-on.

This week she said: "We have to go along with the council's decision, but we also have to realise that times are changing and we must look at things from young people's point of view. We have to bring ourselves more up to date."

Radio station TFM had asked if it could stage a repeat performance of last year's show which attracted large crowds to Yarm high street. Councillors turned the request down, but reconsidered the scheme after feedback from the public.

Vice-chairman Coun Liz Marsden said: "We don't want to ban roadshows, but we feel we can't mix and match the traditional and the commercial in this way.

"We decided to leave things as they are as it is a bit late to change arrangements now."

Coun Marsden said safety concerns played a large part in the decision as last year the switch-on and the roadshow were on opposite sides of the street. "It has not been rejected out of hand and we could consider it for the future," said Coun Marsden.

"There could be something for the young people this year but not at the lights switch-on."

Coun Marsden said councillors had been surprised at the strength of feeling among some residents. "We have to listen to what people are saying but it would be hard to organise something like this without proper preparation," she said. "It does not work. We want to concentrate on the more traditional aspect of Christmas if we can."

Coun Porter was worried residents might think the council did not care about catering for the young people of the town. "We have to cater for all age groups," she said, "and I am disappointed this is not going ahead for the youngsters.

"Christmas has changed. It is not the quaint old Victorian time with people signing carols around the tree. That's not what the young people want."

The switch-on will feature carols sung by Yarm school choir and, it is hoped, music from Yarm band.