YORK could get a single festive lighting "centrepiece" this year - unless traders stump up for traditional Christmas lights themselves.

Letters could be sent to city centre traders, outlining how much it would cost them to string traditional garlands of lights across the streets.

They would be asked to respond by a set date if they were willing to pay, under plans from City of York Council's economic development board.

If traders said no, it is likely that York would get just one central installation supported by the council, but board members said they would prefer a combination of the two options.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said it was important for the city council to keep some involvement in festive lighting, because it would allow them to encourage local traders to take part.

This year's installation could be something similar to Frenchman Patrice Warrener's lighting of York Minster's West Front, known as The Heart Of Yorkshire, which was a big hit with residents and tourists last autumn.

But council leader Steve Galloway said this year's project could be put up in St Sampson's Square.

He said he favoured the option of a single centrepiece because "it would be much easier to organise and install". He refused to say what the feature might be, but said it would definitely not be a nativity scene.

As reported previously in the Evening Press, traditional lighting is in jeopardy through lack of funding, and York's Christmas Lights committee needs £60,000 just to repeat last year's display.

Coun Galloway said there was "a gaping hole" in the budget and it was difficult to get sponsors, partly because planning restrictions limit the options for advertising in the lighting display.

He said: "Personally, I don't think York needs a great deal in the way of Christmas lights, because it is already the very epitome of Christmas spirit, without much need for embellishment."

But a report by Ian Tempest, manager of First Stop York tourism partnership, said lights were important in providing the city centre with a festive atmosphere at a time when retailers enjoy their highest turnover.

The report said the Yuletide York campaign, led by the First Stop York tourism partnership, helped bring half a million visitors to the city over the six weeks running up to Christmas.

Coun Madeline Kirk said: "This is a very difficult situation. Obviously the residents of York feel it is something we should have, but they always want these things without realising the amount of financial support needed to get it off the ground."

Coun Galloway said a decision would have to be made soon, because lighting schemes take months to organise.

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, March 15, 2006