The future of Wem's Christmas lights is to be discussed by councillors next month as the current contract comes to an end.

Wem Town Council heard during its monthly meeting in Edinburgh House that the current contract for lighting will be coming to an end after the current Christmas season.

Wem's Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Friday, December 2, but the council hopes to ensure the new contract will be 'cost-effective' amid concerns over costs.

Wem's mayor, Councillor Geoff Saul, asked councillors for their opinion and said: "I think we need a wider discussion and see where we go from there.

"The first step will be in time for a budget meeting in January. We need Christmas decorations, it is something which is going to need to be discussed."

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Cllr David Ward replied: "It is a lot of money and we have a lot of tough money decisions."

Town clerk Penny O'Hagan spoke about a working party and the need for the council to take care before making a decision.

She said: "I think it will have to come to a budget meeting.

"We will need a recommendation to budget meeting from working party for figure.

"We will need to do due diligence before making a decision and I will need people to be on the working party."