FERRYHILL Town Council has launched a £15,000 fundraising appeal to replace its worn out Christmas lights.

This year's lights display looks set to be dimmed because Durham County Council will not issue safety certificates for the town's ageing lamp-posts.

There are still hopes that the lamp-posts can be replaced in time, but whatever the outcome the ageing fairy lights will still need replacing.

Jamie Corrigan, executive officer for Ferryhill Town Council, said: "The mayor's fund this year is for Christmas lights in Ferryhill. We are in negotiations with the county council to see if it would be at all possible to have new light columns in time to have the decorations up for this year.

"But the major problem is that the town council doesn't have the funds to pay for them at the moment.

"Irrespective of what happens with the light columns, we still need to buy new decorations for next year. That will cost £15,000, which is a massive amount for us because it's five per cent of our budget"

Mr Corrigan urged Ferryhill folk to rally to the cause.

He said: "We're going to need a lot of support, especially from local businesses as it's them who benefit from the decorations."

Fundraising efforts have started, with Mayor Edith Whitfield running a tombola stall on the town market. She is appealing for tombola prizes to be handed in to the town hall.