Ilkley people should prepare themselves for an event which could become an annual town disaster - Ilkley in Gloom.

Miggy Bailey, the force behind Ilkley's Christmas Lights campaign, says she is disillusioned with the response to her plea for funding.

While Mrs Bailey is annoyed, one of the town's independent traders who has been working closely with her, feels traders need to be presented with the full picture, rather than simply condemned.

Mrs Bailey, the Ilkley Parish Council clerk, believes £20,000 is needed over the next five years to ensure the success of a plan designed to bring a sparkling new look to the town's festive lighting.

"I think you could say we are some way short of that. I think donations so far total £345," she said.

Although she is expecting about £2,000 from regular contributors, and Bradford Council promising to match pound for pound the amount raised, the outlook is poor.

Mrs Bailey thought last year's desperate situation, where only a last- minute burst of generosity ensured any lights were put up, could not be topped. She has been proven wrong.

"It's even worse than last year, despite a lot of effort being put in by myself and a few independent traders," said Mrs Bailey.

The Ilkley Christmas lights team's long-term solution was to divide the town's business community into blocks, with each block - for example, The Grove - paying an annual standing order.

This has met with almost total apathy. Of the 40 businesses in The Grove, Mrs Bailey has received 'interest' from three, and money from only two.

Claire Richardson, director of Arthur English (Ilkley) Ltd, a member of the Ilkley Independent Traders Group, said she could understand why traders have been reluctant to part with money.

"I want to be positive and not slate traders. In the past they have been asked to part with money and have seen the same old display go up year after year," she said.

Anyone wanting to donate to the appeal should contact Mrs Bailey at Ilkley Town Hall on (01943) 436212.

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