The only town in the Outer Hebrides has cancelled its big Christmas switch-on because of a lack of cash.
Western Isles Council said it had to axe an annual £19,000 grant for the festive lights in Stornoway on Lewis as part of £5.5million of budget cuts spread over two years.
A regular event, involving choirs, community singing and speeches, has also been scrapped.
Stornoway Amenity Trust, which runs the event, said the annual illuminations had been severely cut back, meaning there would be few festive lights decorating any of the town centre.
However, there will be a lit Christmas tree in Perceval Square after Stornoway area councillors donated cash from their ward funds, which was boosted by a grant from the civic fund.
A spokesman for the council said: “There will be some lighting but it will be greatly reduced and just around the centre. There will be a tree. The £19,000 for the lights was among the overall budget cuts agreed by members. It is unfortunate, but the decision has been made against a background of making savings of £5.5million over two years.”
