WATERFOOT has been given a Christmas lights display for the first time in six years.

Council bosses had been branded Scrooges over their failure to bring the festive cheer to the village since 2000.

But now traders and residents are delighted at the lights' return in the form of a display which greets visitors entering the village from both directions of Burnley Road East with "Merry Christmas From Waterfoot".

Steve Taylor, who owns Taylor's Quality Fruiterers in Burnley Road East, said: "This is the first time we've had proper lights, and it looks absolutely brilliant.

"The most we've had before is just a few lights stretched round a tree, so it's about time we have something proper, like all the other towns."

In 2001 a decision was made that the council did not have enough money to fund lights for every town in the Valley.

Since then Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden and Crawshawbooth have had lights installed, but not Waterfoot.

Mr Taylor added: "We always seems to have been the last in line for things from the council, we're often overlooked.

"But things are starting to happen now. We've had the car park done and now we've got lights, and in January work will start on a roundabout for the centre to improve road safety and traffic.

"I hope this is a sign of more good things to come for the village.

"We deserve it as we have a wonderful centre."

He praised ward councillor Marlene Crosta for her hard work in securing funding for the lights.

Coun Crosta said: "I'm very pleased for the people of Waterfoot that they have lights at long last.

"It's lovely to see them. I think the village does get forgotten, and it's not been easy to get funding, so I'm delighted."

A council spokesman said for the past few years the only funding made available enabled the purchase of a string of lights for a tree.

But he added: "However, as part of a rolling programme of investment in new lighting displays, funding available in Waterfoot has increased this year."