Boston's Christmas plans in trouble

The chairman of Boston's Business Improvement District said actors from Emmerdale are due to switch the lights on

A Lincolnshire town's Christmas market and lights switch-on could be in doubt after the group that organises the events was scrapped.

Boston's Business Improvement District (Bid), which was set up five years ago and funded by local shops, paid for the events in 2012.

It has since voted to disband, leaving the events on 29 November in doubt.

The group's chairman, who said he had booked stars from a TV soap to appear, said everything was "up in the air".

'Big uncertainty'

Bid chair Alan Ellis said a meeting was being held to try to rescue this year's Boston's Christmas market and lights switch-on.

He said: "We have booked the Emmerdale stars so they will have to be paid for, whether they come or whether they don't.

"Where is the money coming from? It is all up in the air at the moment."

Even if this year's Christmas events can be saved there are major doubts for 2014 and beyond.

Mr Ellis said: "There is a very big uncertainty about [the Christmas market] at the minute because the council does not have the funds to continue doing it.

"The Christmas lights will go back to whatever the council can afford on its own, whatever budget they have."

Councillor Peter Bedford, leader of Boston Borough Council, said: "The council regrets that the ballot has gone against the continuation of Boston Bid.

"The Christmas market is entirely organised by Bid and costs met from the levy, any decision on whether the market is held or not is Bid's.

"The Christmas lights are safe for this year and the next two due to an arrangement reached between Bid, Boston Borough Council and the supplier which is already funded."