Christmas lights have been cancelled across five towns this year as a cash-strapped council looks to make savings.

Medway Council has announced it will be scrapping its festive displays and switch-on events – to save £75,000.

Leader of the authority, Cllr Vince Maple (Lab), said: “Unfortunately due to the challenging financial situation the council is in, we have had to make the sad and difficult decision to not have Christmas lights across Medway this year.

“This means there will sadly be no switch-on events held in the town centres this year.

“I know how disappointing this will be for many families, residents and businesses, including myself who enjoyed attending the event with my family, but the reality of the situation is that we unfortunately have no choice but to make these tough decisions.

“Medway Council continues to be one of the lowest funded unitary authorities in the country per head of population with our revenue support grant cut by 91% since 2010. Consequently, our budget forecasting has identified a potential overspend of £17million for this financial year.

“This decision alone will save the council £75,000 and, whilst I appreciate there is still a long way to go to reduce the budget gap, I will continue to lobby central government to ensure Medway receives a fair amount of funding.

“However, until then, we are left with no choice but to make these incredibly difficult decisions as a cabinet, and with our council colleagues and partners, to reduce the potential overspend and to ensure we can continue to provide essential services that we are required to provide by law, such as social care, waste collections and housing.

“We are continuing to explore savings options whilst providing an excellent service and support system for our vulnerable residents.”

Last month, KentOnline revealed the council could be facing bankruptcy as a financial report projects it could face budget shortfalls of almost £40 million within two years.

Medway’s governing Labour group was told if action was not taken, the authority could be in serious trouble.

The latest decision comes after the council, which at the time was led by the Conservative group, axed its free fireworks display earlier this year.

The annual bonfire night at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham was scrapped at a budget meeting in March with a saving of £40,000.

Although lights will not be strung up around Medway, Cllr Maple assured residents there will still be festive events, including a Christmas tree in each town, character meet and greets in Gillingham, Strood and Rainham libraries, and a parade in Chatham on November 18.

There will also be three weekends of Rochester’s Christmas Market, a children’s Christmas village in the castle grounds, the Dickensian Christmas Festival, Victorian traditions at Eastgate House, elves on shelves at The Guildhall Museum and a pantomime at The Central Theatre in Chatham.

Cllr Maple added: “Medway has thousands of local businesses, including a wonderful range of bespoke shops, so please do shop local where you are able to in the run-up to Christmas.

“Medway also has fantastic charity shops giving residents the opportunity to bag a bargain and give to worthy causes. It is Small Business Saturday coming up on December 2 and a great excuse to shop in Medway.

“We will continue to work closely with our town centre businesses to explore further ways to support them this Christmas.

“We are also exploring public transport support in December to make it easier to get to our town centres and high streets.”