AN energy company which threatened to switch off a market town's Christmas lights has admitted it repeatedly sent incorrect bills to volunteers who run the display.

Members of Thirsk and District Business Association in Thirsk said they were relieved after being told by npower that its demand for £10,208.33 had been made in error.

They received final demands from the firm and were told the display would be disconnected if the association refused to pay the electricity bill for last year’s display, which had soared by more than 1,200 per cent from £760 in 2011.

The association said the display, which is seen as vital to attract shoppers to Thirsk over the festive period, featured 1,214 lights in both years and was switched on for a similar length of time.