A PILOT scheme that could lead to the lower end of Minehead's retail centre being lit up with decorative tree lights should be put to the test within a few weeks.

Minehead Town Council is investing £1,000 to install globe lights in a tree outside the Regal Theatre.

And if the four-week pilot is successful, the illuminations could be strung up in 20 trees along The Avenue and shine all year round.

Town councillors were told at a meeting on Tuesday that Minehead Chamber of Commerce would fund the shortfall of the cost of the Regal tree lights - around £300 - with the theatre taking on responsibility for connecting the lights to its power supply and paying the running costs.

Councillors voiced concern that the authority's grounds maintenance staff had initially been asked to install the lights as they were not qualified electricians.

And they agreed this would not happen.

Cllr Gail Everett, who has been leading the pilot scheme, said the Regal tree would allow the council to assess whether people liked the idea of lights in the trees.

"Hopefully, they will love them," she said.

She said it would form part of the town's Christmas lights but the plan was to switch them on in the middle of November.

"I have always felt that Minehead should have some decorative lights in the trees along the length of The Avenue," said Cllr Everett.

"This would link the seafront with the main shopping area, thus encouraging both tourists and residents to visit both areas."

Cllr Everett said when the Regal tree lights were up, local residents would be asked if they were in favour of an extension of the lighting along The Avenue.

"The pilot is in effect a consultation to see if people like it."

Cllr Everett said costings were still being worked up but installing lights in 20 trees could cost around £26,000.

But she said if the pilot was a success, an application would be made for planning gain money - money paid to West Somerset Council by developers to offset the impact of new developments.

After the meeting, Minehead Chamber of Commerce chairman Graham Sizer said it was hoped the cost could be funded from money originally ring-fenced to enhance the link between the town and Morrisons supermarket.

"For many years traders below the town centre have seen themselves as ignored when it came to events or enhancements."

He said the chamber had set up a fund five years ago to deliver Christmas lights down The Avenue.

Virtually every business had donated money but the project ran up against highway regulations.

However, meetings had been held with highways staff in September about lighting The Avenue and the response had been fairly positive, subject to the appropriate permissions being secured.

The fund had remained dormant and could now be used to match fund the hoped-for planning gain money.

Mr Sizer said the lights would be relatively maintenance free and low powered.

"Minehead has always suffered from having developed in a linear fashion with its centre 600 metres from the seafront.

"This is now recognised as something that needs addressing and this project will help the link."

Mr Sizer said the scheme had been endorsed by the Minehead Vision Group.

Vision manager Stephen Hooper said: "Previous initiatives to install lights along The Avenue have been blighted by logistical problems - however, advances in public lighting technologies now make this project feasible."