On Saturday the Fleetwood Festive Lights Committee, a group set up specifically to raise cash for the lights, staged their latest money-spinner.

More than 100 people turned out for the midsummer night's disco at Fleetwood Legion Sports and Social Club.

The committee hope that funds raised from this and other events will help the committee equal last year's final sum of £16,000, which included £3,000 from Wyre Council.

It would allow Fleetwood to have a row of festive lights from Fisherman's Walk to Fleetwood Library, plus several illuminated trees.

Down the coast, the Cleveleys Association of Commerce and Trade is the main group responsible for stumping up the cash for their town, and times are tough.

Last year, the Association was stung by a £5,000 legal bill after a member of the public fell down a hole when a cover around a lighting pole was somehow removed.

Now Martin Hunns, chairman of the Cleveleys trading group, is struggling to generate enough funds for this year's display, which threatens to be a pale shadow of recent efforts.

He said: "We are relying on traders to do it but what is disappointing is that many of the big chain shops here do not give much at all.

"We are left needing a generous benefactor – to the tune of £6,000, otherwise our display will be very basic indeed.

"The lights are important because visitors see the town lit up and are more likely to return than if it is gloomy."

Malcolm Ratcliffe, of the Fleetwood committee, said: "If we're plunged into darkness visitors are more likely to go elsewhere in December."

But in Poulton, trader Peter Hilton questioned whether the displays were worth the heavy cost.

He said: "The lights have got more costly but if only a small number of traders give money, the relative expense outweighs the benefit to shops."

n Anyone wanting to help the Cleveleys lights, can telephone Martin on (01253) 852695.