A storm is brewing over fears a consultation into Porthleven's conservation area could lead to teh scrapping of the town's Christmas lights.

The question mark over the future of the festive display was raised after a draft report from Kerrier district council said the port looked cluttered.

In a letter to the Packet, Peter Ward, head of displays and maintenance on Porthleven Lights Committee said the report drawn up by London based consultants recommend that "a new coherent lighting strategy would present an opportunity to remove some or all of the coloured light strings".

The report said would remove some of the "cluttered appearance" of the port.

Mr Ward said: "It is absolutely ridiculous. The lights have been up for 20 years and no one has ever said anything bad about them. Visitors love to see them.

"To the people of Porthleven it is part of its inheritance and charm."

He said that the loss of the coloured strings would throw into question the overall viability of the festive lights.

He also said as far as he was aware the three consultants from London had not even looked at the lights when they were switched on.

The consultation period ended on December 12 and the amended report is expected to be complete by the end of January.

The news sparked a flurry of letters to the Packet with voicing anger that what one man called "overpaid senseless bureaucrats" were messing with a town tradition.

David Slatter, head of the major projects' team at Kerrier district council, which ordered the consultation, said: "The consultants comments, I feel, did not appreciate the local situation in Porthleven."

He said he had since spoken to Mr Ward about amending the text of the document to reflect the strength of feeling about the lights.

He said: "This would build on the strengths and the passion of the lights committee. The only way we can move forward is to have broad agreement."

He added he did feel the conservation area would benefit from a new approach to lighting, which would include street lighting and lighting on buildings.

The new unitary authority One Cornwall will make the final decision on what action to take.