Fairy lights taken down for safety

CHRISTMAS fairy lights in Haddington have been taken down because of fears they could fall and hit someone on the head.

Local businesses criticised the decision to remove the decorations from the main street, leaving the town with one pine tree for its festivities.

Michael Lemmon, who owns a bike firm, said it was "over the top".

He said: "Everything is health and safety these days."

And Frances Wright, who runs the Malt Kiln gift shop, said: "It's a shame. The lights have been a feature for donkey's years.

But Jan Wilson, who chairs Haddington community council, said the move had been prompted by safety concerns over strong winds and a crumbling building. "If anything happened, I'm the one that would have to live with it."