THEY are universally renowned as among the best in the country and Christmas just would not be Christmas without Stratford's light display, but the cold, harsh reality is they may not be here forever.

The Stratford Christmas lights committee, which is in the process of becoming a limited company, traditionally has its operations underwritten by the town council, which meant the £40,000 annual cost, which for 2000 has risen to £50,000 was always covered.

However, the committee's split from the council, coupled with the Charity Commission's ruling on the council's use of the town's charity cash means that the lights' future is not guaranteed beyond the next two years, which would mean a festive blackout for Stratford.

Graham Toone, the only member of the committee from local business, is at the head of the work to raise cash from sponsorship and admits it is tough trying to motivate Stratford firms into helping foot the bill.

The reluctance of some to hand over sponsorship money has been well documented over the past few years, with lights champion Councillor Maureen Beckett "naming and shaming" the shops and restaurants - particularly national chains - who consistently refused to help.

Benefactors can have adverts or just a name published in the Christmas lights shopping guide or can just make a cash donation to help maintain one of the town's main and possibly only winter tourist attraction.

That has improved slightly, said Mr Toone, marketing manager for Guide Friday, but many still refuse to help because they believe the lights should be paid for out of business rates, or they are unhappy with the display in their part of town.

"We get so many complaints about the age and appearance of some of the lights, about the same lights going up every year or about the display perhaps not being as good in certain parts of town, but we need more money to make a difference," said Mr Toone.

"The £50,000 annual cost covers installing and running the lights and carrying out running repairs but to make a real difference to the display would need thousands and we have enough trouble raising the money we need for the basics."

The town council, after the committee's breakaway, agreed to grant Stratford Christmas Lights £80,000 - £40,000 per year for the next two years.

However, after that money runs dry the new company must apply for a grant like everyone else and there is a question mark over how much they will be able to have.

"I am not at all confident that we will still get this money in two years time," said lights chairman Mick Love.

"We must try and plan for not having it, but it could well mean Stratford will have to do without its Christmas lights."

"It's thinking the unthinkable, but we really do have to consider a time when there are no lights because of a lack of money," said added Mr Toone. "We are doing all we can to look at how we can bring the cost down, but we need more help from local business.

"Some Christmas goodwill is all it will take to ensure we still have people using our shops, restaurants and bars during the festive season."

If you would like to help with a donation for Stratford Christmas Lights, please call 01789 297072.