BEAMINSTER locals have spoken of their disappointment after it was announced that this year's Christmas lights festival will not be going ahead. 

The festival, which kickstarts the town's festive celebrations, sees the switching on of the Christmas lights in what is a popular event in the Beaminster calendar. 

However, it has been revealed that there will be no such event this year.

In a statement, Beaminster Town Council Chairman Craig Monks cited funding and some staff suffering verbal abuse last year, as to why the festival will not take place in 2023.

Mr Monks said: "Beaminster Town Council have made the decision not to host the Christmas Lights Festival in 2023. 

"The festival, during which the town’s Christmas lights are switched on, is a wonderful start to celebrations in the town, however during these difficult economic times, the council need to be mindful of how funding is utilised. 

"The expenditure in organising the 2022 festival was in the region of £11,000, that does not include the many hours of time given by volunteers and Council staff.

"Whilst the event has been popular in the past the Council’s priority has to be a safe event for all those who attend and we cannot continue to do this successfully without the support of Council staff and volunteers.

"Unfortunately some staff and volunteers had encountered instances of verbal abuse during the course of the 2022 festival and we were saddened to also learn of this taking place during a number of other community events that we have hosted in the past."

One commenter on Facebook said: "Very sad. This celebration has become a part of our town's Christmas get-together. 

"But, equally, I understand the reasons for taking a break. Like most things organised locally, it’s a tiny few who organise and take the brunt."

Another criticised those who verbally abused volunteers last year. They said: "How sad! WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE- verbal abuse has NO place in Beaminster."

Despite there not being a festival this year there will still be a main Christmas tree, festive-themed lights in the square and smaller trees throughout the town.

Last year more than 20,000 lights lit up the streets of the west Dorset town. 

Santa himself appeared in the town centre for the big lights switch-on in early December which was complemented by a Christmas market and live music from Crewkerne Phoenix Brass Band and Prout Bridge Youth Band.