A TOP councillor said a decision to close car parks in Holmfirth for the Christmas lights switch-on was made by local traders.

Some traders were left angered when shoppers found nowhere to park on Saturday.

Car parks in Holmfirth were cordoned off from 9am – hours before the switched on at 4pm.

Clr Martyn Bolt, Cabinet member for Highways. said: “One car park was closed and another partially closed at the request of the Holme Valley Business Association for the Christmas lights switch-on event in Holmfirth.

“The Bus Station/Towngate car park was closed, as it is every year, for this event. The Huddersfield Road car park was partially closed and visitors were allowed to park for up to 30 minutes by the HVBA who managed the car parking themselves.

“The large public car park at Crown Bottom was unaffected by the event.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on communications between traders and the Holme Valley Business Association.”