ANGRY traders staged a town centre march in protest at a town's Christmas decorations.

They feel there is a lack of festive spirit in Nelson, with what they describe as a lack of lights, a decent Christmas tree and the traditional crib.

As a mark of their anger, the 25 protesters marched to the Place De Criel outside Pendle Rise Shopping Centre, where a Christmas tree has in the past stood, carrying a 5ft tree.

They were also carrying a placard saying: "Do they know it's Christmas?"

Over the last two years the council has had a £52,000 budget for Christmas decorations in Nelson. But a lot of the cash has been used to bring the old electrical system up to new health and safety standards.

Council bosses have pledged that next year they will be able to spend more on the decorations.

Karen Shaw, 36, of Colne, who owns Northern Life Centre in Scotland Road, organised the event because she said she wanted to get more people to support local shops. Ms Shaw said: "The march was well supported.

"The mayor is talking about getting people into Nelson. But there is nothing here it is really bleak.

"How can we get people in here if there is nothing to attract them?

"I decided to put an artificial tree in the centre of the town to highlight the absurdity of the lack of festive decorations.

"There used to be a Christmas tree in the centre but now it has been replaced by an artificial thing that doesn't even look like a tree. There is a real lack of Christmas feeling. There isn't even a sign saying Merry Christmas."

Council bosses said the traditional Christmas crib had been put away due to vandalism and that the Christmas tree had been moved and placed off the ground again to stop vandals.

They called on traders to decorate their shops instead.

Eileen Anser, 46, of Ashton Drive, Nelson, who owns Slick in Manchester Road and has been trading in the town for 25 years, said: "The council is wanting people to put up decorations in their shops but if they aren't making any effort, why should we?"

Hannah Rouse, 37, of The Crescent in Colne, and runs Oddfellow's cafe in Nelson centre, said: "All the other towns in the borough look nice. The council needs to make more effort."

Coun Donna Caley said: "We have limited resources and a lot has been spent on meeting health and safety regulations for the new electrical light system.

"Next year we will be able to spend more."