Why town's Christmas lights are still up in spring

Rebekah Conthwaite, 39, said customers from outside the town do question why the festive lights were still up in spring

A market town has still been displaying some of its Christmas lights nearly four months after the festive period wrapped up.

Streams of unlit fairy lights and Christmas tree decorations are hanging from buildings and lampposts in the main street in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire.

The local Christmas Lights Committee said the delay was purely down to a lack of volunteers and that the lights would come down imminently.

Some residents said they had grown used to the lights and "don't think they are causing any harm".

The displays do not illuminate and have been removed in other parts of the town

Rebekah Conthwaite, 39, works in a coffee shop in the Great Whyte - the main street through the town, where the lights are still visible.

"It is very festive, I like it, it is a little quirk for our town", she said.

"It is all run by volunteers, so it is just finding the time for them to take them down and getting the right equipment in really."

Ms Conthwaite also said that it was a talking point in the coffee shop and she thought that the lights committee had a bigger team in previous years.

David Garton, 80 said he had grown used to the Christmas displays still being in place and it might save the committee a job next year if they kept them up

David Garton, 80, lives in nearby Warboys and said he doesn't know why the lights are still up.

"You get used to it, it doesn't bother me, the lights are supposed to come down in January, but these ones are still here", he said.

"I'm afraid I'm not so good up a ladder now, so I can't offer to help get them down, but it could save them a job if they leave them up till next Christmas."

Ramsey Town Council said it was always keen to hear from more people wanting to volunteer to put up and take down the festive display

Ramsey Town Council said that the town has a committee of local people who worked hard all year to achieve a brightly decorated town centre and a very popular 'Switch On Event' for the festive season.

"The erection and dismantlement of the lights and tree is undertaken by a small number of volunteers, many of whom are not members of the team but willing residents, who are keen to help", it said.

"It is not always easy to bring a group together, who can have other commitments, but it is hoped that the lights will be removed this weekend."

It added: "Volunteers are always vital and are welcomed for their support."