Shoppers are celebrating after car parking charges in Oxford were frozen - for the time being, writes Roseena Parveen. But any real festive cheer will have to be put on ice - because the city centre's Christmas lights have been cancelled.

The city centre management working party yesterday voted not to allow city centre car parking charges, or park and ride charges, to go up.

Green Mike Woodin was the only councillor who wanted charges to increase to make up for the city's cash shortages. More than 3m worth of cuts are now being sought from vital services.

He was outvoted by members of the business community, city centre residents and bus company bosses who all said increasing the charges so close to Christmas would be a disaster.

Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce president Bill McCardle said: "The park and ride is the jewel in Oxford's crown. Any attempt to increase those charges would be detrimental to everyone.

An Oxford Bus Company spokesman said any increase could lead to a 40 per cent drop in park and ride passengers.

But while Christmas shoppers can enjoy visiting Oxford's new Debenhams store and other high street attractions, their paths won't be lit by an overhead lights show.

Traders have refused to contribute and councillors decided it would be better to save cash for a 72,000 display in 2001. Up to 10,000 will be spent paying consultants to make sure the city centre is properly lit up next year.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Maureen Christian was disappointed at missing out on her chance to switch on the Christmas lights. She said: "I think it's very sad that in the very first year of the new Millennium there will be nothing for the children in Oxford to celebrate with."

The traders in the Covered Market and Headington will fund their own displays.