A FIERY debate erupted about a business association's plans to erect Christmas trees in Upton.

Past tensions re-emerged in the council chamber when the proposal was discussed.

Upton Business Association's proposal to erect artificial trees in the town prompted some councillors to question whether it should receive support to do so.

Councillor Peter Webb criticised the association saying it had requested public money to provide artificial trees in the town in an e-mail sent to councillors before Tuesday evening.

Mr Webb's opposition is rooted in the UBA's decision to 'rip out' Christmas lights previously installed in the town and then spend £25,000 of council money on new ones.

The councillor says the lights are garish and unreliable, have caused endless problems and questioned why the UBA were not raising their own funds instead of relying on the tax payer.

But Annette Keyworth, chairman of the association, says the organisation has not asked for any council money to fund the trees.

Mrs Keyworth said: "We won't be asking the town council to contribute to the trees."

Cllr Tim Dance, the mayor of Upton, was outraged by the email, he said: "The only word I can describe it as is totally out of order and disgusting.

"The past has been dragged up again. It's nothing but a personal attack."

Cllr Eric White said: "We were told the lights we have got would not cost us anything after they were installed.

"Each year we have spent nearly £1,000 in connections and lights and God knows what."

Cllr John Thompson said: "I think it's unfortunate we are going back over old ground. We have got a proposal in front of us and I think we should forget the past and discuss what we have in front of us."

A majority of councillors voted in favour of the motion to support the UBA in its plan to put up the Christmas trees.