A Preston pub’s protest about the lack of Christmas lights in Church Street boiled over during a meal for pub regulars.

The Bear’s Paw in Church Street has put up its own Christmas tree and lights outside and to the side of the pub.

Operations director of Amber Taverns, who operate the pub, Gary Roberts claimed during the afternoon of Thursday (20 December) the pub was visited by ‘a council officer’.

He said: “We had a visit asking for the Christmas Tree outside the pub to be removed within the next hour.

“This enraged our regulars who feel we have been hard done by down Church Street by this year’s Christmas lights. They barely come down here compared to the rest of the city centre.

“We pay our money towards helping the city centre and feel constantly short-changed.”

The tree to the left-hand side of the pub is in-front of a city council owned building which is currently unused.

Bear’s Paw regulars had been enjoying a Christmas dinner during Thursday afternoon when the alleged incident took place.

Blog Preston contacted Preston City Council who said no council officers had visited the pub.

Mr Roberts when asked by Blog Preston about the council visit said they were by a man who is listed as a retired highways engineer with Lancashire County Council.

Read more: See all things Christmas in Preston

Mr Roberts said: “Whether it was the council or not we still feel as though the council have forgotten the lower end of Church Street after the failed investment project.

“The regulars wanted their Christmas represented on the high street. Our customers are the salt of the earth and have been overlooked by the bureaucracy of the council for years – it’s time they appreciated the great people that are the heart and soul of this great city.

“Whether it was the council or not. We won’t be removing that tree until after Christmas!”

A video released on the pub’s Facebook page shows them chanting outside the pub and daring anyone to remove the tree and decorations.

Read more: These are the Christmas bin collection dates for 2018 in Preston

What do you think about the Christmas lights in the city centre? Let us know your views in the comments below