FAST food giants McDonalds are refusing to contribute to the cost of Altrincham's Christmas lights - despite only being asked for £25.

The Altrincham Town Centre Partnership has condemned the American company and other retailers for their refusal to foot part of the electricity bill for the lights.

The partnership, which aims to attract more shoppers to the town centre, appealed for permission to use their electricity supplies for the lights.

But it could be left to pay part of the £600 bill itself, despite organising the light display for the benefit of the town's retailers.

It is another blow for the partnership, which has had to scrap the usual official lights switch-on because of a lack of funds.

Altrincham area manager Sonia Cubrillo said retailers should be doing more to support the partnership.

She said: "The partnership is trying to generate income for the retailers. We're running an advertising bus campaign for the benefit of Altrincham, and we've done a number of promotional events in the town centre.

"We're trying to help the town, but we need the support of retailers as well."

Partnership chairman Mark Rubin said: "There needs to be reciprocal support. The council is supporting the retailers. Something such as paying for the electricity for the Christmas lights needs to be reciprocal: it's very disappointing."

And Cllr Paula Pearson, also a member of the partnership, said: "It's disappointing that they are failing to engage with the larger community of Altrincham."

But a spokesman for McDonalds said: "We've given a lot of financial support to the Christmas lights over the years, but we constantly review our budgets. We didn't budget for it this year."

The other retailers who have refused to give access to their electricity supplies are Lucas Bookshop and The Payroll Bureau, both of Ashley Road, and Ormerod hearing aid specialist of The Downs.

Several others have not replied to the partnership's request.

They are:

Orange (George Street)

Whittards (George Street)

Halifax (George Street)

Woolworths (George Street)

H and J Office Supplies (Lloyd Street)

The Orange Tree (Old Market Place)

The Faulkners Arms (Stamford New Road)

The Hollins Murray Group (Barrington Road)

Hadfield, Cleaver and Co (Ashley Road)

The Famous Old Porterhouse (Stamford New Road)

Donald and Aitchison (George Street)

The Royal Bank of Scotland (The Downs)

Raimondos (The Downs)

Clarin's (The Downs)

Swinton Insurance (The Downs)

Arthur Jones Estate Agent (The Downs)

Pagliacci (Ashley Road)