Brighton's North Laine shopping area will look gloomier this Christmas after traders failed to raise enough cash for festive street lights and decorations.

Up to £60,000 is needed to stage a similar display to last year's.

But only ten per cent of businesses agreed to contribute to the Christmas lights fund and in some streets the figure was as low as two per cent.

Shop owners denied they were being miserly and instead blamed a second year of poor sales.

Many said they were struggling, because of recent increases which saw rents more than double.

Others argued that if every trader pledged some money there would be enough for a display that would bring in more shoppers.

North Laine Traders Association chairman Peter Stocker said: "The last couple of years have been slow for business.

"But this is very sad, particularly for those who pledge money every year.

"If every trader gave just £50 or £100 each year we could have the most spectacular display and they would all benefit."

The City Centre Business Forum traditionally organises the collection of funds for the lights but only received a fraction of the pledges needed.

Manager Soozie Campbell said the cost was high this year because new lights were needed.

She said: "Despite starting the fund-raising in May and receiving generous donations from organisations such as Ellis & Partners we have only raised £17,000 across the whole city and just over £12,000 from The Lanes and North Laine together."

The traders' association will provide all members with display lights to put up in their shops.