Traders in Seaford are being encouraged to put up their own Christmas lights this year as civic leaders fear the town will spend the festive season in the dark.

The seaside town is facing a festive blackout because the strings of lights previously used do not comply with legal regulations.

The Chamber of Commerce has always arranged the lighting, but a sub-committee, which was formed to investigate the problem reported the town would again be without full lighting.

Mike Weatherley, who took over as president of the chamber in September, said: "The old lighting is antiquated and dangerous. We do not have enough money in the kitty or enough time to organise lighting for this year."

Seaford is one of only two towns in the whole of Sussex which has to provide its own Christmas lights - it is usually the local authority's responsibility.

Mr Weatherley said: "We would like the council to take more of a pro-active role in organising the lighting in Seaford, so we can be geared up for next year."

He says the chamber has already done a tremendous amount of work to provide decent lighting for 2001.

Vice-president of the chamber Ted Cowdray said: "We did all we could, but obviously we are gutted that Seaford will not have Christmas lights."

Dennis Sistrom, of Clear-View Rental and Display Ltd said: "We still hope to bring the town to life."

The town may be without full lighting, but it will have a Christmas tree.

The tree ceremony will be at 5:45pm on December 1, as part of the late- night shopping event in the town centre.