FLASHING Christmas lights in the centre of Ilkley are to be turned off this week because of protests from an epileptic man.

Frazer Irwin, 52, of Queens Road, told last week how he feared that flashing Christmas angels on The Grove could

trigger an epileptic seizure.

Now, the chairman of Ilkley Parish Council has promised to switch off the offending decorations and make sure they are not used again next year.

Councillor Lexa Robinson said she was upset that Mr Irwin felt his concerns had not been taken seriously and wished to apologise to him.

"I have been trying to contact Mr Irwin all week but unfortunately I took down his phone number incorrectly," she said.

"As chairman of the Christmas festivities committee the last thing I want to do is upset anybody or cause any stress to anybody with any kind of illness."

Coun Robinson said she intended to contact Mr Irwin and ask whether he wanted the lights taken down.

"If he so wished I would get the contractors out to turn it off. Now that we know there is any problem at all we won't even consider the angels next year. I'm just sorry that this has happened" she added.

Mr Irwin, a local historian, said he was relieved at the news. "It wasn't only me that was upset," he said. "I was speaking for other people as well.

"I can keep clear of the area but drivers and visitors can't. It's not just one lamp post either that's flashing. It's the cumulative effect of all of them."

Mr Irwin said he thought the lights should be switched off after New Year and not be used again. "I don't want to spoil everybody's fun," he said.

"But I'm pleased they won't be used next year and I know many members of the public, shopkeepers and pub landlords will be pleased as well."