Traders in Johnstone have slammed the town’s “shambolic” Christmas lights and demanded they are modernised.

The lights have been branded “old-fashioned,” with claims they make Johnstone look like “a forgotten town” compared to Paisley and Renfrew.

Renfrewshire Council provides core funding for lights in Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew and organises switch-on events but many in Johnstone say the town is becoming the odd one out.

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Allan Henderson, who runs Henderson’s Flowers and is a member of the Johnstone Business Consortium, said: "The lights here are atrocious. If Kilbarchan can have lights on all the lamp-posts, why can’t Johnstone?

“They are old-fashioned and are only really in the main square. We should have lights running from the Thorn to Graham Street.

The Gazette: Allan Henderson is one of many traders unhappy with the lights in the town Allan Henderson is one of many traders unhappy with the lights in the town (Image: Newsquest)

“Renfrew’s lights are fabulous and they had a big fireworks display at their switch-on.

“If we have the same lights next year, then it proves Johnstone is the forgotten town of Renfrewshire.”

Tom Wallace, chair of Johnstone Community Council, added: “The lights in Johnstone have been poor for the past couple of years.

“It seems to be going in the direction that Renfrew and Paisley are prioritised."

Renfrewshire Council has said it supplies funding for the installation, repair and maintenance of lights in Johnstone, Renfrew and Paisley but cash is not used to enhance displays.

Instead, it encourages community groups to apply for a range of available funding support, such as through Local Partnerships.

However, Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone, wants a “cast iron guarantee” that core funding will not be taken away before the community council starts applying for cash.

He said: “Only then should the community council think about applying for extra funding."

A council spokesman said: "Johnstone Business Consortium were invited to be active partners in this year’s Christmas Lights switch-on event but chose to focus on their events programme, which received the maximum £10,000 award through the Johnstone and Linwood Local Partnership.”