Bob Russell, chairman of Hythe Business Partnership, said: “There’s no point wasting electricity on something that’s rather embarrassing. It’s a bit of a disaster but at least we’ve got lights, unlike some people. Southampton is a disgrace.”
Mr Russell added: “A lot of people have found this year’s display a bit disappointing but very little money was donated towards the cost. We’ll be holding several fundraising events next year and the Christmas 2009 decorations will be totally different.”
Parish council chairman Malcolm Wade said of the Pylewell lights: “It’s an old set and they’re just not fixable. If they were we’d have done it straight away. Hythe looks as wonderful as it always does – it’s just that one little bit of the village that’s affected.”