A struggle has emerged between two local councils over which will pay for the electricity to power this year's Christmas lights in Kenilworth.

The lights will be officially turned on by the town's mayor and MP over the last weekend in November, with separate events to be held on High Street and Warwick Road.

But the town and district councils are currently claiming that the other is responsible for paying for the electricity throughout December.

Speaking at the last finance and general services committee meeting at Kenilworth Town Council, town clerk Maggie Field said the district was not planning to foot the bill.

"They felt that there was a shift over a year ago. But we don't know anything about it," she said.

But councillors were in agreement that the best course of action was to wait and see what happens.

Cllr Rob Barry: "My view is the ball is firmly with the district council and the county council. I don't think we should actively seek to pay for this."

Cllr Andrew Milton added: "Can I just suggest that when Western Power sends someone a bill, we have a discussion about it then. 

"There seems a slight mystery about how it's paid and who pays it. At £450 [last year's bill] say times three it's not going to crash the council's finances. 

"Personally, I think we should just see what happens."

KTC, Warwick District Council and the Illuminations Committee already split the costs of the set-up, maintenance and take down of the lights and are now in the second of a three-year contract.

But a WDC spokesperson told Nub News that the district council remains firm that the bill will land on its town colleagues.

"It is the responsibility of Kenilworth Town Council," they said. 

"They receive a financial contribution from the District Council for the lights events, but the town council is the one responsible for paying for the lights and the electricity bill."