Grandma loses bid to keep festive lights

GRANDMOTHER Elizabeth Sayers fought back tears when officials pulled down her Christmas lights yesterday.

They had adorned her home in Unsworth Street, Radcliffe, for the past four years.

They were switched on over each festive period but remained unlit on the building for the rest of the year.
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Mrs Sayers said she left them up because was unable to take them down herself and could not afford to pay anyone to do it for her.

But her seven-month battle with Bury Council and Six Town Housing came to an end yesterday when council staff arrived at her home to remove the lights.

The council said the lights had to be taken down because they were a health and safety hazard.

As they were being pulled down, stunned motorists and pedestrians looked on, with one driver shouting at the workmen to leave the lights in place.

But while Mrs Sayers’ lights had to come down, just a short distance away, the council’s own lights were still up in Radcliffe town centre Mrs Sayers’ battle began in June last year, when she received a letter from Six Town Housing, which manages the property for the council, saying the lights were a health and safety hazard and had to be removed.

Despite a petition with more than 450 signatures and last-minute legal advice, Mrs Sayers was unable to stop council officials when they arrived at her home shortly after 9am yesterday.

She said: “I feel absolutely terrible but there’s nothing more I can do.

“The children will be devastated when they walk home from school and see that the lights have gone.

“They knock on my door in September every year asking when I will switch them on.

“My grandchildren will be even more upset than I am.”

Council officials told Mrs Sayers that they were taking down the lights because of damage caused to the roof of the property, though she disputes this.

They also said she would be allowed to put decorations up again during the Christmas period.

Mrs Sayers said: “The only way I will be able to put them up next year is if someone does it for free. I can’t afford to pay - that’s why I leave them up.

“My sons are busy with their own lives and don’t have time to put them up and take them down for me.

“Christmas will be ruined for everyone if I don’t have my lights up.

“People know my house and they use it as a landmark if they are giving directions. Everyone will really miss them being up.”

A spokesman for Six Town Housing said: “The lights were removed from Mrs Sayers house today following notification from Six Town Housing. There is no reason why Mrs Sayers cannot enjoy her lights again this coming Christmas, as long as all health and safety regulations are met and provided she takes them down by the 12th night.”

A council spokesman said the lights in Radcliffe town centre would be taken down by the end of January.