A PETITION has been launched calling for Wigan Council to bring back a full size Christmas tree and festive lighting to Tyldesley town centre.

Matthew James, who started the petition, says that a lack of festive decorations resulting from reduced council funding has turned the town into a 'laughing stock'.

The petition has already been signed by more than 300 other residents and Matthew wants councillors in Tyldesley to fight on the their behalf to restore some Christmas spirit to the town centre.

He said: "Many locals will tell you Tyldesley used to have a fantastic tree and lights.

"But, as many residents and businesses in Tyldesley have noticed, year after year our Christmas tree and lights have gone downhill to a point where we now feel a laughing stock as we are left with half-working cluster lights on a couple of lamp posts.

"We valued our tree and lights as they brought a sense of Christmas cheer and spirit to the town.

"That feeling has slowly disappeared and we want it back.

"We feel forgotten about and that we are the poor relations of Wigan borough."

The council admits it has scaled back Christmas funding for towns such as Tyldesley following complaints from residents last year about it spending too much money on festive lights.

There is a living Christmas tree in Market Square, which was installed by the council during renovation work earlier this year.

The tree has been dressed with festive lights for the Christmas period.

The council says the Tyldesley lights are funded through councillors’ Brighter Borough funding, which is set at £5,471 per councillor and is used throughout the year to pay for community groups and projects.

It added that the cost of installing the across road displays used in previous years has risen too steeply to be affordable.

Tyldesley councillor Stephen Hellier said: “The living Christmas tree was installed as part of the major revamp of Tyldesley Market Square, which has given us much improved open space for the community for public events and markets.

“While we have reduced the amount spent on Christmas lights this year due to escalating costs, we are confident that next year we will find a more cost-effective way to improve the lights.

“We of course have to balance how much we invest in Christmas lights with funding our numerous community groups and projects throughout the year."

Among those to have signed the petition calling for the town centre to be made more Christmassy are Deborah Parry and Colin Rigby.

Deborah said: "The tree in the centre of a community that pulls everyone together is not too much to ask.

"It would be nice to bring back an old tradition and carol sing round the tree."

Colin added: "The proud people of Tyldesley deserve the best as they have served Queen and country in all the wars.

"You only have to look at the remembrance parade to see how proud we are."

To sign the petition go to bit.ly/2h2noNT.