KIRKBY Stephen could be the first town in the UK to festoon its streets with an environmentally-friendly Christmas lights display.

Director of the town's Fold gallery Steve Messam is formulating a scheme which would see Kirkby Stephen's traditional festive lights replaced with energy saving LED bulbs, which would be powered by electricity generated by a water turbine in the River Eden.

He is optimistic about receiving financial support from energy providers and the scheme has also won the support of Kirkby Stephen Town Council.