Does lighting up our town centres really lift our spirits? (Christmas lights for all', November 2).

Festive lights across town centres are a misuse of public funds, and are an intrusion into more white light' across our town and country - not to mention using valuable resources of electricity, when we are asked to contribute to saving the planet'.

Better use of the funds could be made in providing festive meals or food vouchers for those in the community less fortunate, rather than incurring costs where local shops are unwilling or unable to pay.

Graham Calvert, Golders Green