Dimming the Illuminations

Walsall illuminations seem certain to be put on hold for the next three years after the borough's cabinet gave its backing to a plan to suspend the annual event.

Council officers estimated it would save Walsall council £476,000 and coincided with a hoped for £7.9 million refit of the Arboretum which would be completed in 2012.

The suspension was past by the cabinet as part of a package of savings in the council's budget.

Last year the show lost £167,000 as visitors continued to slide.

The Illuminations have been criticised as being out of date and Walsall council hopes the refurbished Arboretum park would help reduce costings for the five week show which takes part in October.