Lights to begin at half term

Walsall Illuminations could start a month later and finish a week before Christmas under new proposals to revive the annual light show's fortunes.

The number of people visiting the lights spectacular has fallen in recent years and it is hoped the radical plans, which could come into force next year, will help draw more people through the gates.

Under the changes the Illuminations would start at the end of October in the school half-term break.

It currently runs from the beginning of September to end of October.

Bosses also want the event to avoid Ramadan, Diwali and Halloween.

Other suggestions to boost visitor numbers include running an event in the Civic Square to co-incide with the Illuminations and laying on community buses to make the attraction more accessible.

The ideas were put forward by councillors who are looking into ways of safeguarding the attraction's long-terrm survival.

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