THE lack of Christmas lights in St Dogmaels over the last festive period cannot be allowed to happen again.

That was the message from one member of the village’s Community Council at its latest meeting.

Cllr Melrose Thomas said: “So many people have commented on it that we have to find the money in the budget.

“I was bombarded with objections from people for not having lights in the main street over Christmas. We are representing the village here and we have to have lights. We have raised our precept and have to set aside money in the budget for this.”

The lack of lights in the village prompted councillors to run a competition for residents to light up their own homes to try to provide some festive cheer through the village. This idea proved very popular and looks set to continue this year.

The council agreed to look into what it will cost to light up the streets once more.

This includes the cost of new lights themselves as some have deteriorated over the years, checking and securing the anchor points and any electrical relays, putting them up and down, the cost of running them and actually finding people who are able to do all the work to comply with current legislation.

“It’s a big job and there will be a cost,” said Cllr Phil Hutchings.