EMBARRASSED councillors have promised that Christmas lights WILL go up in two major shopping streets this year - after the Guardian revealed that they were nearly cancelled by an email mix up.

Members representing Monkhams ward in Woodford Green insist that the Broadway and High Road will have festive decorations this year, despite the group failing to reply to an email reminder about payment by the set deadline.

Following the Guardian's report of the error - which was revealed during an argument between councillors at a meeting of Area Two committee on Tuesday night - red faced councillors have contacted us to insist the lights will now go ahead.

News that there is still time to organise the lights has come as a major relief for the Monkhams group who were told by a council officer at the meeting that it was probably too late to order them now.

Monkhams ward councillor Jim O'Shea said the group had missed the deadline because they expected the matter to be decided at the meeting rather than by email - and excuse which was dismissed by Area Two chairman Richard Hoskins who said the message had been 'perfectly clear.'

Cllr O'Shea said: "When we were told we had missed the deadline we asked the officer involved to try and sort the matter out for us which he has.

"The cost of providing the lights this year has pretty much drained our discretionary budget, but we know how important they are to people.

"We thought the lights would need to be discussed and agreed upon at the meeting, so were surprised when we were told we had missed the deadline for ordering them."

Pauline Latham, owner of Cafe & Co in Woodford Green Broadway said it was 'ludicrous' that the lights should ever have been in doubt - and thanked the Guardian for supporting their cause.

She said: "It's ludicrous that we get to November 10 and we're told they can't be sorted out.

"Thank you (to the Guardian) for your help in making sure we got the lights.

"The council should try and show a bit more Christmas spirit."