CONTRACTORS have refused to put up Ledbury's Christmas lights, saying they are dangerous, and leaving the town facing a major fundraising effort to secure the 2002 display.

Hereford-based Melcon say the supporting cables in 15 strings of lights are rusting and only made of soft metal, not stainless steel. The company's fear is that the cables could fall down into the street.

The electrical cabling itself has cracks on the insulation, allowing water in and causing the potential fire hazard of "arcing", in a Conservation Area where there are many listed half-timbered buildings.

Last Christmas, there were electrical failures in many of the light strings, even though the Town Council had spent £1,800 on five new electrical boxes, to keep the system going.

On Tuesday, in a private meeting with town clerk June McQuaid and mayor, Phillip Bettington, Melcon chief Ken Preedy outlined his concerns.

He said all the lights needed replacing, except the ones on the Market House and on the library

In a fax sent to the town council, Mr Preedy said: "Many of the decorations were well past their lifespan. I can only advise you that these decorations should not be erected next year and that new decorations are sourced and erected."

Now Ledbury Town Council and the Christmas 2002 Working Party are to assess how much replacement lights will cost, and how to organise a fundraising drive.

Mrs McQuaid said she had no idea what the final bill could be, and would not speculate. But she said: "I think we are looking at a fair bundle."

When Malvern's Christmas lights failed a health and safety inspection two years ago, the bill for bringing the display up to standard was £35,000.

Ledbury's Christmas lights budget this year is £4,985, which could just about cover the installation fees paid to Melcon.

Mrs McQuaid said: "Serious fundraising will be needed if any display is to be erected."

Felicity Pepper, of the Black Pepper restaurant, a member of the Christmas lights working party, could spearhead the fundraising drive. Last year, she raised £3,000 through events, including an auction in her High Street restaurant.

She said: "We'll do an auction like last year and be looking for more community involvement. People are always moaning about the lights, so let's have them doing something. We will also have a stall at the Ledbury Carnival."