It had been billed as a technically innovative and spectacular Christmas display for York - a high-tech scheme to project computerised images on to the walls of prominent city buildings.

But there was embarrassment all round when the equipment had to be switched off less than a week after its launch because of technical difficulties.

The debacle last Christmas summed up the troubled history of York's festive illuminations.

People had been grumbling for years about the lack of a spectacular display in such a key shopping centre. Why could Leeds do it so much better - and even places like Malton or Selby. Even tiny Towton, near Tadcaster, claimed it put on a better display than York.

A decade ago, the Evening Press reported: "York stands alone as the Scrooge of Christmas lights in Yorkshire." A survey by the newspaper showed that while cities and towns across the county burned bright with sparkling displays, York was facing a festive blackout.

Things were little better three years later, with the Press reporting that York was facing another gloomy Christmas after efforts to raise cash foundered. And readers wrote in to fume that shoppers could find better lights in Malton, Thirsk or Ripon.

For some years, residents complained that money which went up in smoke at the council's municipal firework display on Knavesmire each November should go instead towards the more permanent Christmas lights.

Last year, the Guy Fawkes display was scrapped and £4,000 put towards the lights, but still without satisfying all shoppers. Andy Craven wrote to the Evening Press to express his disappointment, saying: "It was far from spectacular - where are all the lights?"

But it must be said that matters have improved markedly in certain streets in recent years, thanks to a determined effort by local traders to put up a good show - Stonegate, Goodramgate and Micklegate spring immediately to mind.

Now, with the commitment by the council to match funding by traders, the race is on to ensure other key shopping streets, such as Coney Street, put on a decent display in Christmas 1998.

See COMMENT Let's give York a festive boost

See NEWS Don't keep us in the dark

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.