VILLAGERS are incandescent with rage after their Christmas lights were ruled too heavy to go up.
Health and safety chiefs said the lampposts cannot support them — even though they have in the past.
The lights weigh around 8kg each — with anything over 4kg deemed to be “dangerous”.
Locals are now facing the prospect of a dim Christmas in the high street at Pembury, Kent.
Richard Barclay, 51, said: “The same lights were up in the high street last year and the year before and for as long as I can remember.
“The whole thing is daft, whoever heard of Christmas lights causing a lamppost to fall over?”
Parish councillor Patrick Gillan said: “It’s going to look like Scrooge made Christmas.
“It’s just mean. People will be very angry about it.”
His colleague Louise Mills added: “Unfortunately, this year our high street is going to look a little dimmer.”
Bosses at Kent County Council refused to grant a permit, saying just one of the lampposts was strong enough.
A spokesman said: “We notified them that, following independent tests ordered by the parish council, only one column would be suitable for hanging decorations.”