A Kenilworth councillor has questioned whether it is right to spend taxpayers' money on Christmas lights this December as the cost of living crisis continues.

At the last meeting of Kenilworth Town Council's finance and general services committee meeting, Cllr Richard Dickson queried whether it was appropriate to be spending thousands of pounds on electricity and events when many local households will be struggling financially this Christmas.

"I am conscious that we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis," he said. 

"When many people will be struggling to put the lights on at home we will be putting more on in the street. 

"I grant you that it might make people feel better.

"But I am mindful also that we are spending in total far more [on the lights] than we have donated to citizens' advice who are addressing very serious issues and mental health issues."

While other councillors commented that more money would have been given to the Citizens' Advice South Warwickshire had it been requested, they also said the lights added to the festive period in the town.

Cllr Andrew Milton said: "My personal view is that people are going to have a miserable enough Christmas as it is without us turning the lights off in Kenilworth. 

"Actually, it is something that is accessible to everybody for free. 

"I don't think it is an issue we should consider. 

"I think we should carry on and give people a little bit of joy."

There will be two light switch-on events in the town this year, both on the final weekend of November.