A BID to make Barry Island Wales’ answer to Blackpool by restoring its illuminations has been made by councillors.

Vale and Barry town Baruc councillor, Nic Hodges said the idea of reviving the lights, popular in the 60s and 70s, had been put to Barry Town Council’s finance and policy committee and the idea had had a glowing response.

Traders also welcomed the initiative.

Councillor Nic Hodges said: “Extracts from the Barry and District News report the alderman of the council switching on the illuminations in the early 60s. There must be some locals who remember them. 1964 was reported as the most spectacular.

“The town council supports High Street Traders by funding the lights rental over Christmas. Having spoken to local traders on the island they are all very excited with the idea of some winter illuminations. We put the idea to the town council finance and policy committee. All councillors were extremely supportive of making an application to the Vale Council under the cash grant scheme for some match funding. Officers at the town council are currently writing our application for the grant. We want this to be a partnership between the Vale, the town council and Island traders. It will go some way towards extending the season and hopefully encouraged visitors to the Island to stay longer to see the illuminations.”

Barry Island historical group chairman, Mike Heffernan, said he would love to see the illuminations return to Barry Island.

He said: “I was very sorry when they were taken down. Obviously Barry Island had the lion's share of the lights, but there were strings of coloured lights on the Causeway, along the Parade and around the Lake so they were not confined just to Barry Island.

“The lights, including fixed tableaux, were of course supplemented by the lights in the fairground.

“The Scenic Railway was a mass of coloured lights and the atmosphere when they were switched on was electric.”

Barry Island trader, Marco Zeraschi, said lights would extend the season and improve the night trade.

He added: “With Henry Danter moving in to the Pleasure Park and the possibility of the illuminations it's the taste of the good old days . I use to love the illuminations on Barry Island when I was young - magical times.”

But Pride In Barry chairman and former Barry Island businessman, Paul Haley, said the idea was a “bit old fashioned.”

He said: “It’s way down priority list. Undercover attractions, full events programme, good marketing, way before lighting things up.

“A lit shelter is lovely for dog walkers, but isn’t going to create a night time family economy at the Island.

“Lighting is for shopping areas at Christmas and it’s for local authorities to fund and they haven’t got enough money.”