Controversy over the absence of festive decorations in a Cornish town's main shopping street has taken a sinister twist.

Saltash traders who have not put up Christmas trees have received anonymous letters criticising them.

Leading members of the chamber of commerce and the town council are outraged.

And the chamber is seeking legal advice.

The anonymous letter says:

"What? No Christmas tree? Traders as tight as you do not deserve any customers."

Shop-owner Marie Wellington, said: "I was very, very upset because over the past four or five years since I've been on the chamber of commerce I've helped with the Christmas lights committee

'River of Lights' has turned to a trickle

"I've also done a colouring competition to provide money for the lights and I've provided coffee for the people who put them up."

She added that it was unsafe to have a Christmas tree on the front of her shop because of its slate frontage.

A last-minute effort by the chamber and council has brought some colour to the street.

Mayor's regrets

But the traditional River of Lights spanning Fore Street from top to bottom is missing.

Chamber Vice Chairman Bob Frost said the council was told before last Christmas that the lights were too old and dangerous and had to be replaced for this Christmas.

Mayor Joyce Mepsted said she regretted the council failed to organise a meeting and was unable to obtain grant aid for new lights.

It is malicious and unacceptable Chamber Vice Chairman Bob Frost

Mr Frost is determined to trace the letter writer and will be seeking legal advice.

The chamber will be asking to see CCTV footage to track down the writer, who is known to have targeted at least five shops.

He said: "It has made an unfortunate incident into a cat and dog fight.

"It is malicious and unacceptable."

The mayor said she was saddened by the letters.

She said: "I was absolutely dismayed and horrified to think that there were some people in this town who could stoop to such a thing.

"Whoever has written this letter really has no idea of why people have not been able to put them up."

Thankfully the row over the lights and the concern over the letters has not had any noticeable effect on the level of Christmas shopping in Fore Street.