DESPITE rising worries about the cost of energy in the UK, Warrington's Christmas will be going ahead without changes, the council says.

As energy costs climb higher and higher, many have suggested that they will not be able to celebrate Christmas in the same way.

Craig Middlemore annually creates a Christmas lights display to raise money for charities, and he says that his plans for this year's display are under review.

Warrington Guardian: Craig has traditionally used his annual light displays to raise money for charityCraig has traditionally used his annual light displays to raise money for charity (Image: Craig Middlemore)

Craig said: "By now I normally have a clear image in my head with what’s going where, a new display to build, and a shopping list of new lights I need to purchase but this year I’m afraid is going to be a little bit different.

"The number of lights that go up will send me bankrupt if I go ahead as normal.

"As a family we already have that dark cloud drifting over us worrying how we’re going to be able to afford to keep the house warm over the colder months and how it will affect us financially but one way or another we will get by."

Mr Middlemore, of Pichael Nook, Latchford, normally kicks off his charity display in the second week of November - but he admits that this will 'need to be reviewed.'

Warrington Borough Council has said that its town centre light display will go ahead as usual - despite being hit with a 225 per cent increase in energy bills in July.

A council spokesperson said: "We recognise the benefits that Christmas lights bring to a town centre.

"As we are now using LED lighting, to reduce energy consumption, we are not proposing to make any changes to this year’s installation at this time.”