TENS of thousands are predicted to have been spent on Hereford's Christmas lights this year, it can be revealed. 

In a request submitted to Hereford City Council, who are responsible for the city centre lights, it was revealed that the predicted costs for the 2024 Christmas lights were around £60,0000. 

The city council also revealed the total costs of the lights in 2023, which came in at £65,737.05. A spokesperson added that there were additional costs in this financial year, as infrastructure repairs and upgrades "needed to happen".

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The spokesperson added that the figures mentioned might included VAT, which would have been claimed back since.

The lights at Maylord Orchards are the responsibility of Herefordshire County Council, who revealed in a freedom of information request that they had spent £16,388 on the lights in 2023.

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Herefordshire Council also owns the tree outside Maylords Shopping Centre, and the cost to install and take the tree down is £5,000 per year. 

According to Hereford City Council draft minutes, funding was being sought from the council to contribute to the fees for the artists due to reduced sponsorship over the years.

The minutes said Sunshine Radio will be covering around £3,000.

It was resolved by councillors that £3,000 be allocated from the Christmas lights budget to support the professional fees of performers engaged by Sunshine Radio for the event.