There has been a lot of moaning over the last few Christmases about the inadequacy of Bradford's festive lights compared to those in some other towns and cities. And now that plans have been announced for a rather more extravagant display this year, there will no doubt be some complaints about the money being spent on it.

On balance, the proposal to turn Bradford's usual low-key Christmas illuminations into something more spectacular is a worthwhile one.

Bradford people, beset by worries about the world and depressed by local problems, need something to brighten them up. Traders need an attraction which will bring customers into the city centre, helping to boost their profits during their most important time of the year. And the city needs to prove that it can put on a good show to help its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008.

As far as the cost is concerned, it is right that the additional £65,000 of Council cash should come from money left over in the Highways budget from last year if, as seems likely, it does not have any major effect on important road-safety or improvement schemes.

If a decision had been taken to raid the social services or education budgets for garlands of street lights and "dancing waters" displays and a synthetic ice rink in Centenary Square, loud moaning would have been fully justified.

But a relatively modest sum from Highways, supplemented by funds from regeneration and business partnerships and from the arts, heritage and leisure department, seems a reasonable way of spreading the burden to buy some Christmas cheer for the city.