Skipton faces a Christmas blackout after the town's chamber of trade abdicated responsibility for organising the festive lights.

It has asked Skipton Town Council to take over the job again - three years after the council refused to carry on and handed over the duties to the chamber.

In the intervening years, the Christmas lights have grown from a poor, scrappy show into a much praised display.

But, on Wednesday, the town's traders decided they would do it no more. Although they would form a "Friends of Skipton Christmas Lights" to offer advice and assistance, someone else had to take responsibility.

The lights have been organised by a sub-committee, and its secretary David Goldie said that a meeting to plan for next year had drawn just two businesses.

It costs £9,200 to put up the lights and £5,600 had been spent on new decorations which had been funded by a £5,000 grant from Skipton Town Council, fundraising events and donations.

"I have been secretary (of the Christmas Lights committee) for two years and no-one is prepared to come forward in any official capacity," said Mr Goldie. "We have worked very hard on it for two years but we cannot continue by ourselves."

Chamber president Barry Peters told the meeting: "Everyone has been very enthusiastic about the lights continuing but it is not sustainable to expect individuals to carry on doing all the work and running their own business.

"The onus is on the town council to do something - otherwise there will be no Christmas lights in and around Skipton High Street this year."

Peta Jennings said the public had commented on how good the lights looked but it was infuriating that they gave Craven District Council the praise.

"Craven does nothing and gives nothing but sits back and gets the praise. The chamber does all the hard work and the town council gives a generous contribution," she added.