It may be four months away, but residents and traders in Ilkley have so far said "Bah Humbug" to Christmas after an appeal to raise money for festive lighting generated just £5!

The town's Christmas lights working party launched the appeal at the end of June.

But group co-ordinator Miggy Bailey said she has so far received just two letters from businesses interested in contributing - and a single donation of £5 from a member of the public.

The working party - made up of members of the Ilkley Independent Traders' Group and the Parish Council - began the appeal to avoid the last minute funding emergency which threatened to plunge Ilkley into darkness last year.

It hoped to secure financial commitment from Ilkley businesses and the general public to make sure the annual scramble for funds would become a thing of the past.

But Mrs Bailey said they are still desperate for funds after letters sent out to up to 200 businesses in the area yielded just two replies.

Mrs Bailey said: "We're trying to set up a system where the traders are organised into groups based on streets so that they can set up a standing order which will pay for the lights in their area on a yearly basis.

"It's early days yet to be thinking about Christmas, but we sent out hundreds of letters about a week and a half ago and we've only got two back expressing an interest. The other donation was £5 from a resident.

"I'm hoping more people will respond as we draw into September."

But the appeal has produced a mixed reaction from traders in the town.

Mary Vandam, owner of Jacaranda, The Grove Promenade, said: "A lot of people don't like the lights and I'm not really that fond of them myself.

"I would say leave me out of it and I will do my own. Last year they didn't look right - they looked a bit cheap."

Another town centre trader, who didn't want to be named, said: "I'm against the idea. We pay enough in rates as it is to be paying more on top of that."

But Maureen Stansfield, member of the Ilkley Independent Traders' group and co-owner of Powells delicatessen, The Grove Promenade, said: "Last year it was dire - people generally don't seem to be generous.

"It's early yet but a lot of traders have tins on their counters even though people don't seem to be giving. We want to encourage as many people as possible to give what they can."

Chairman of Ilkley Parish Council Audrey Brand has reissued the plea to people to get behind the appeal. She said: "I know people can be apathetic at this time of year but everyone should rally round because it's their town. When people are shopping at Christmas it brightens up the town considerably. Hopefully more money will come in nearer the time."

Anyone who can help the appeal should contact Miggy Bailey on (01943) 436212.

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