DOLGELLAU town councillors have been blasted for spending hundreds of pounds on Christmas trees which weren’t lit up after an alleged U-turn by shopkeepers.

The decorations had been planned by the council’s Christmas Lights Committee.

However, despite ordering more than 20 trees and lights, at a cost of more than £1,600, only two trees were actually lit up.

Problems arose when town councillors approached local businesses and asked to use their electricity points to power the illuminations.

According to the town mayor, the business owners originally agreed to help, but most withdrew their consent once the trees were in position.

This meant that 21 of the 23 trees bought were left unlit.

Cllr John Raghoobar lambasted the councillors for “wasting more than £1,000 on darkness”.

“There is something seriously wrong. If this were big government then there would be an inquiry,” Cllr Raghoobar said at this month’s town council meeting.

Dolgellau mayor Heilyn Williams said in response: “The shopkeepers in the town gave their permission for us to use their electricity and then took it back.

“It would have cost the businesses next to nothing.

“They’ve shot themselves in the foot to be honest, as it was the town that was set to benefit.”

Cllr Amanda Morgans said there had been a “huge backlash” online.

See full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News