Walsall Illuminations has been axed forever after more than 50 years, the town’s council leader revealed today.

Fears over the future of the lights extravaganza at Walsall Arboretum were first raised a year ago but council chiefs insisted it was under review.

It has now been confirmed the big lights display will definitely not return and a smaller illuminated display will take its place.

Council leader Mike Bird confirmed the lights extravaganza has been axed. “Unfortunately the illuminat-  ions in the original format will not be resurrected,” he said. “We will have an illuminated display but the illuminations as we knew them were unfortunately running at a huge loss.

“There will be those who will be disappointed. It is the end of an era I am afraid.”

The last Walsall Illuminations was held in 2008 when it emerged the show, launched in 1951,was losing £200,000 a year and suffering from dwindling numbers. It was temporarily scrapped during the £7.9 million revamp of the parks.