Exeter businesses may have to pay for Christmas lights

Council cuts in Exeter could result in local businesses having to fund the city's Christmas lights.

The council has to save £2.4m in the next economic year and said it was one proposal under consideration.

The authority said it paid £38,200 towards the cost of the lights and switch-on last year.

Sara Bond, from Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said the Christmas lights were very important to the city, but the council had to prioritise.

She added that businesses had always helped towards the cost of the switch-on and was sure it would continue.

Exeter City Council said it was just one of a number of cost saving proposals being considered by councillors and a final decision would be made on 22 February.

The authority added it had to save nearly £5m over the next four years.