Major of Hamilton Lawson Mapp has hit back over criticism that the Christmas light display in the city this year is lacklustre.

Responding to views recently expressed on ?s letters page that it is time for the lights to be updated, Mr. Mapp said: ?It is wrong to say that the Corporation is using the same tired old lights.

?Every year we try to make improvements on the boundaries coming into the city from East and West. We have put up the ?Peace on Earth? display and decorated the trees with lights. We are always trying to be imaginative and different and I have had a lot of positive comments with people saying what a beautiful job we have done.?