An electrical firm has said they have been 'caught in the crossfire' in a row about Christmas lights in a village on the coast.

The dispute, between Norfolk County Council and Caister Parish Council, is over who should put up festive lights on lampposts on Caister High Street.

For the past six years, local firm Batchelors Electricians has installed the decorations free of charge, saving the parish council money.

But Norfolk County Council said that last year's installation "failed to meet electrical safety standards" and are insisting their own official contractors are employed.

The job would cost approximately £10,000, however, and could leave Caister High Street without Christmas lights this December.

READ MORE: Caister set to stage its first ever Christmas switch-on

Batchelors Electricians have now hit back at the safety concerns.

Rob Batchelor, director, said: "What started as a request from our local village parish council to assist with bringing some festive cheer to the village, we have now unfortunately found ourselves caught in the crossfire."

He said all the parish council's Christmas lighting installations, although temporary, were tested to the current regulations. 

"We have always done as requested when the parish council have passed down information from Norfolk County Council," he said.

READ MORE: Holt Christmas light switch on 2024 has been cancelled

County Hall said that in December 2023 they received reports that several streetlights on Caister High Street were not working - and that after investigation they found these faults were due to Christmas decorations being fitted to them. 

Mr Batchelor said the council then advised that in future years they wanted high level sockets installed "which we were happy to provide if the parish council requested".

He added: "Having provided our services to the parish council for the past six years for our village, it would be great if Norfolk County Council and the parish council were able to come to a mutual agreement for the additional works so that we can continue with this village tradition."