Village Christmas lights event to be scaled back

An annual Christmas lights event in an East Sussex village will be scaled back this year after complaints.

Locals in Westfield, near Hastings, have been putting elaborate light displays on their houses every December since 1975, said organisers.

In recent years, the Westfield Christmas Lights event, which raises money for charity, has expanded to include DJs, drummers and a choir and last year a tractor run.

Organiser Andy Munday said: "This year we are just going back to the old way where everyone lights up their houses."

Last year, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) received complaints about traffic, parking and litter due to the event.

ESCC Highways also told organisers they would need to apply for licensing and buy public liability insurance to continue.

Mr Munday confirmed the event would not include music and entertainment this year.

He said: "All of that is now being curtailed because we've had these whingers.

"So this year, we are just going back to the old way where everyone lights up their houses."

Mr Munday, whose father started the light show, said their first tractor run last year had been unexpectedly popular.

He said 75 tractors turned up, and the team underestimated the number of spectators who would attend.

"We were caught on the hop," he admitted.

News of a scaled-back version of the Christmas lights has had mixed reactions from locals.

One business owner from the village said they would miss the extra business brought by people coming to see the lights.

They said: "It does cause a bit of carnage at times, but it’s good for the village and good for charity, so it’s a shame they are scaling it back."

One villager, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was just dangerous.

"People were blocking driveways. There was loads of litter.

"The village isn't lit, so there's no street lights. It becomes quite dangerous with a lot of cars parked on pavements and blocking pathways and exits.

"It'll be safer and more enjoyable."

An East Sussex Highways spokesperson said: “To ensure the safety of the public, anyone wishing to hang Christmas lights over or alongside the highway must apply for the appropriate licence and have public liability insurance in place.

“We have not received an application this year for a licence for Christmas lights in Westfield.

“Permits for temporary road closures for events are issued by district and borough councils, not the county council.

“Sussex Police would be responsible for monitoring the tractor-run convoy.”

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