The "disgraceful" cancellation of the Christmas lights switch-on in Romford has sparked outrage.

Havering Council confirmed last week that there will be no Christmas lights switch-on in Market Place this year - and even no Christmas trees in the borough's town centres.

Cllr Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, previously told this paper that the council had "no choice" but to cancel the lights switch-on and trees, due to "urgent" budget cuts.

However, many Recorder readers are "shocked" at the decision, describing it as "absolutely disgusting". 

One resident Sam Buttery commented on Facebook: "Disgusting!! Something many look forward to!!"

Lisa Skinner simply called the cancellation "disgraceful".

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Others residents were concerned about the knock-on impact on businesses and on children.

Chloe Mayer said: "It’s so bad that they are doing this, especially when for kids this is such a special time."

Thousands watched the fireworks at last year's event (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Sarah Steggles worried that the decision will "hurt businesses in the longer term" as shoppers will go elsewhere if they were "looking for Christmas spirit".

Tanya Andrea Ayliffe agreed, saying: "This is disgusting, I'm lost for words right now .

"So many companies and groups join in with this light switch on and the market place is rammed.

"They need to be supporting local businesses and communities to help them survive and the light switch on was brilliant for that."

The council told the Recorder that it would be working with the Romford Business Improvement District (BID) and town centres to help plan alternative events, although BID director Julie Frost said that "this will not be a like-for-like replacement of the town centre lights".

Some commenters argued that the "real meaning of Christmas" is not about the lights switch-on, and urged people to head to events in their local churches to get into the Christmas spirit instead.

Angelina Leatherbarrow said: "The real meaning of Christmas isn’t about switching some lights on in a shopping centre.

"There will be many Christmas events happening in churches and community centres."

Cllr Morgon previously told the Recorder: "We have been very public about this.

"In our last budget, because of the urgent need to make savings, the council sadly agreed it could no longer deliver Christmas lights and trees in our town centres.

"We are pleased to say most town centres, such as the Romford BID which has a number of things planned, will have something happening. We will seek to support them in their efforts to publicise these events."

However, the council declined to comment further.