A CONTRACT wrangle over Kendal town centre's Christmas lights display last year has been put on hold as town councillors attempt to ensure there is a bumper display for 2005.

Kendal Town Council has agreed to temporarily abandon its wrangle with Blachere Illumination UK over the £25,000 display, which attracted widespread criticism from councillors and members of the public.

Instead, the council is in talks with the UK arm of the French company as they "investigate all possibilities" to ensure last year's disappointment is not repeated.

The display which largely consisted of wall mounted illuminations in Market Place, Finkle Street and Branthwaite Brow was condemned by some shoppers and visitors as "pathetic" and "a waste of money" when the Gazette went out on the streets to gauge public opinion.

A last ditch attempt to put up traditional lights straddling Stricklandgate in time for Christmas also failed, sparking anger among councillors.

The disappointment led Kendal mayor Marilyn Molloy to accuse the company of "several" alleged breaches of contract at a town council meeting in January.

But she told the Gazette this week that she could not comment on the contract wrangle.

"We are obviously not going to do anything to jeopardise our position at the moment," she said.

"All I will say is that they (Blachere) are being very helpful."

Councillors are now investigating the possibility and costs of a display stretching along Stricklandgate, Highgate and Kirkland.

Town clerk Hugh McClorry told the Gazette that there was a "strong will" among councillors to put on a bumper display this year.

He said that the council had been seeking if they could take "something in kind" from Blachere in a kind of compensation for last year's display.

Operations manager at Blachere Illumination UK, based in Fife, Paul Goddard, said that further meetings were planned with the town council.

When asked about the details of the discussion he said: "That is between us and the client."