BARNOLDSWICK has a centrepiece Christmas tree for the first time in two years after councillors spent £40,000 decorating West Craven.

The tree was scrapped after problems with vandalism in 2004 but bosses have decided not to let yobs spoil the fun this year.

However, not everyone is happy with the cash spent on decorations - parish councillors in Earby have complained that their £5,000 share has been used without them being consulted.

Pendle Council has spent £40,000 on the decorations in West Craven, including two 20ft conical artificial Christmas trees as the area's centrepiece, and 11 new column-mounted light displays.

The new displays are less vandal-prone and use the latest energy-saving lighting technology, while the low-voltage electricity supply makes them safer.

Earby parish councillors had hoped to spend the cash on new power points for small trees outside shops, so that they could be lit without draining the owners' electricity, but instead the money went on five new lights for the town.

Parish councillor Joyce Myers said: "It's like we're second-class citizens who can't decide what we want.

"We are already the poor relations, because Barnold-swick has two wards to our one, so it gets two-thirds of the money, even though we have got Earby, Kelbrook and Sough to decorate separately."

But Coun David Whipp, who has arranged Barnoldswick's decorations, said Earby Parish Council had not put a bid in for money from Pendle Council.

He said: "We have done our best but I think there are some people who have got a bit of a chip on their shoulder.

"This year we had £30,000 for parish and town councils, and last year there were so many good bids that the budget was extended to £50,000, but in neither of the last two years has Earby Parish Council bid for that money."

He said that after Barnoldswick had no new decorations last year following vandal attacks, it was time to spend a "fortune on fairylights" again.

The Barnoldswick lights will be officially switched on at 5.30pm on Saturday, coinciding with the Christmas visit of the French Market.