AN EXPLANATION has been issued over a Herefordshire town's partially lit Christmas light display.

Christmas lights have been switched on across Herefordshire with busy events held in most towns to mark the occasion.

But in Leominster, the lights have gone up and been turned on this year without a big switch-on event, with major roadworks still ongoing in the town's Corn Square, which usually hosts the town's switch-on event.

Other events have been planned in the town in lieu of the switch-on this year.

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And visitors to the town may have noticed that some of the lights are not actually lit, while others are missing.

Now Leominster Town Council has spoken out, issuing an explanation as to why the display has been reduced and some lights are still not on.

In an announcement published on social media, a town council spokesperson said they are committed to providing Christmas lights in the town centre to support local businesses and bring festive cheer to the streets.

But works to improve our town centre streets and pavements during 2024 "have placed some limitations on the installation of lights for Christmas", the spokesperson said. 

"Our staff have been working with our lights contractor to install as many lights as possible while working safely around road closures and access requirements associated with the ongoing public realm works."

The spokesperson said some lights are not yet switched on in the South Street, West Street, and School Lane areas because the electricity feed powering the new street signs, which the Christmas lights are connected to, is currently isolated while works are completed.

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Corn Street lights will be installed as soon as the council's contractor's vehicles can access the fittings, the spokesperson said.

But lights will not be attached to the Royal Oak building or 12 to 14 West Street this year as a result of ongoing works.

Both buildings have been the subject of town council concerns for safety over the last year, with the Royal Oak fenced off amid fears that its crumbling facade could pose a danger, while councillors objecting to a retrospective planning application for the West Street building earlier this year said they were "not satisfied that the building is safe".

The spokesperson said the town council will be procuring a new Christmas lights contract for 2025.