BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has promised that its usual Christmas light displays will return this year despite the ongoing energy crisis.

With energy bills on the rise, there had been concerns that public Christmas light displays would be cancelled due to being too expensive. Elsewhere, Guildford Borough Council in Surrey has said it cannot justify the cost.

However, the borough council has reassured members of the public that this will not be the case.

Borough council leader Simon Bound said: “The council will be providing Christmas lights at the Top of The Town as usual this year, bringing some Christmas magic to our residents and visitors.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Christmas has come to Festival Place

“We hope that by doing this we will not only support local businesses by encouraging people to shop local but will also provide low-cost activities for families in the run up to Christmas.

“Full details of our Christmas programme will be released soon, and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to the town centre for some festive family fun.”

Last year, public Christmas light displays were erected around The Malls, with the lights being turned on on November 13, 2021.