Liskeard could face a gloomy Christmas with the emergence of a threat to the future of its festive lights.

Jane Pascoe, of the Liskeard Lights Up Committee, explained that Martin Gilbert who, assisted by a team of volunteers, has done all the preparatory work and installed the lights for the past 17 years, wants to stand down.

'Unless we can find a person with the same dedication to take over the organisation of the lights, and more volunteers, the lights just won't happen this year, she said.

'We would have gloomy streets throughout the Christmas period and there would be no Lights Up Parade or fireworks for the children. Does our community want this to happen? If not, we have two options. The first option would be to recruit volunteers who hold the necessary electrical and traffic management qualifications and to continue in the same manner that has worked for Martin over the last 17 years.

'The second option would be to engage a contractor, with the necessary qualified employees, to do the work. This could be prohibitively expensive unless the contractor was prepared to sponsor or subsidise the work. If neither of these options is viable, then the lights just won't appear.'

Jane stressed that the debate needs to be had quickly.

'In the meantime, we need to thank Martin and the team he's been heading,' she said.

'Behind the scenes they've put in thousands of free hours over the years without any desire for recognition or thanks, to ensure our Christmas in the town is a bright and cheerful one.'

Anyone prepared to offer their services, either in a technical capacity or as a general helper to make sure the lights go up this year, can contact Jane on 01579 348442.

The Liskeard Lights Up Committee meets regularly from February onwards to review how the last Lights Up Parade went, to consider how things might be improved and to plan the next one.

The members address issues such as funding, choosing a theme for the next year, planning how schools and local residents can be involved in lantern making, and booking the bands.

The lights go up at the end of November and come down in January, but the task of putting up the lights starts in September with electrical safety testing and the inspection of around 130 supporting brackets.