HUDDERSFIELD could soon be saying goodbye to its faded Christmas lights.

Councillors will decide today whether to replace the ageing festive illuminations with a new set.

Kirklees officials have urged the council’s Cabinet to spend £70,000 on new lights from Lockwood-based KD Decoratives.

But some councillors have queried the expense – at a time when the council is planning huge cuts of up to £400m.

Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said yesterday that the new lights were “really important” for the town centre.

The existing lights have been erected for the past few years across New Street, King Street and Cloth Hall Street.

If the Cabinet gives the go-ahead today, the lights will be ready for the Christmas switch-on on November 19.

The Christmas countdown will see superstar actor Patrick Stewart switching on the town centre lights on that Thursday evening.

Plans for the festive season also include a huge Christmas tree in the newly-revamped St George’s Square.

Tony Coletta, who chairs pressure group Town First, welcomed the new funding yesterday.

He said: “I look forward to some new Christmas lights and I hope they add a little bit extra each year. The old lights have seen better days, we’ve certainly got our money out of them.”

Mr Coletta, who owns Occasions flower shop on Market Avenue, hopes the new lights will boost town centre trade this Christmas.

He said: “It would make the place look more attractive and hopefully we could compete with the out-of-town shopping centres that have pretty good Christmas displays.

“Anything like new Christmas lights will promote the town centre and help us retain customers – that’s the key thing now because the shoppers who have gone elsewhere will stay elsewhere.”

Council officers have advised the Cabinet to accept KD Decoratives’ quote of £70,000 for the work rather than £55,000 from Bradford firm Festival Lights or £45,000 from Festivelighting.

But Conservative deputy leader Clr Martyn Bolt cast doubt on the proposed investment yesterday, given that Kirklees plans to cut between £250m and £400m from its budget over five years.

The Mirfield man said: “We have to think about whether new Christmas lights are truly a priority. Is this really the right time to do this?

“Festival lights are a short-term investment. Is there any way of putting that £70,000 into something more long term?”

Clr Bolt doubts that new lights will boost business in the town centre.

He said: “We know the lights in Blackpool bring people to Blackpool, but Huddersfield isn’t in the same league.”

However, Clr Bolt did not criticise Kirklees officers for supporting the most expensive bid.

He said: “Cheapest isn’t always best, you have to look at quality as well or else you can end up making a false economy.”