VANDALS who wrecked festive lights have been blamed for ruining Otley's Christmas displays.

Following a number of complaints over the lack of lights in the town centre, it has been revealed that nearly all were broken while in storage during the year.

Town clerk Les Cross said the vandalism was only discovered when contractors employed by the town council came to put up the displays for the grand switch-on almost two weeks ago.

He said: "We have had particular

difficulties this year because a lot of the lights weren't working when we came to put them up.

"We are still repairing them, although I think nearly all that can be repaired, have been."

Residents and traders in Otley have spoken of their disappointment with the decorations, many of which were not in place when carnival queen Anya Latham flicked the switch.

Readers contacted the Wharfedale Observer after the ceremony to find out if the displays were complete. And this week a number of people said they felt Otley was getting a raw deal compared to the spectacle in Leeds city centre.

Andrea Windus, 50, of Granville Mount, said: "The lights could do with a clean-up. Leeds gets all the best stuff and we get nothing."

Joanne Bailey, of the Weston Estate, said: "There's not a lot to get carried away about is there? Some of those have probably been up for a few years

running. There really should be more of them."

However, work has been ongoing

during the last week to put up as many of the missing lights as possible, and repairs are still being made to the vandalised displays.

And Mr Cross said the town council was doing everything it could to find some more - possibly spares from Leeds City Council.

He said: "Whether that is possible we don't yet know, but we are talking to Leeds about getting some more lights and to see if they can help.

"It is true not all of them were up in time but we have been doing everything we can to improve the situation."

And traders who feel Otley could do better have urged fellow businesses to help brighten up the town centre.

Tonia Hearne, chairman of Otley's Chamber of Trade, said she knew the lights had been vandalised and gave her support to the town council's bid for more displays from Leeds.

But she added: ""They seem to be getting worse every year. As it is at the moment, it is very poor.

"I would ask the traders that are allowed to put up Christmas trees or window displays to give us a bit of

festive cheer," she said.

Trevor Backhouse, of Patisserie Viennoise, on Westgate, said: "It's a shame if people are disappointed but we must realise the council does not have a bottomless pit of money for these things."

He also urged fellow traders to make the most of their premises by putting up their own lights and trees. "Obviously I realise that many traders are strapped for cash but I do feel people could make the effort," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.