A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bring back Weymouth’s fairy lights – as work starts to test the new seafront laser show.

The strings of coloured bulbs were removed from the seafront more than a year ago as part of an Esplanade regeneration scheme, prompting an outcry.

Town centre resident Dave Burchill still hopes they can be brought back.

Following a long delay, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council started work on Monday night to install the seven illuminated sculptural columns for the lasers, or Veils of Light scheme, as it is known.

The 15-metre-high columns will be placed from Alexandra Gardens up to the Pier Bandstand providing “subtle and changing laser-generated illuminations” that will extend across the beach to the sea.

Testing the lights and their programming is expected to start tonight and will extend over the next few weeks.

An official launch will be in May.

Retired postmaster Mr Burchill, who lives in the Park District, believes the fairy lights still have a place on the seafront.

People who share his view are invited to sign his petition which has been posted on the Dorset for You website.

If he can get 600 signatures it will force a Weymouth and Portland Borough Council debate.

Mr Burchill said: “The fairy lights were the jewels in Weymouth’s crown and they were removed with next to no consultation at all.

“The seafront is a dark and foreboding place without them.

“The new streetlights just give off little blobs of light and the lasers will shine towards the sea and will only be on for a few hours at a time.”

He added: “People might dismiss me as a grumpy old man but this is something I care about. It seems to be the view of everyone I’ve spoken to. Many people who have also written to the Echo about it.”

The petition can be signed at epeti tions.dorsetforyou.com by May 31 or alternatively sign a paper copy at the Park Community Centre in Chelms-ford Street.

People signing the petition must live, work or study in the borough.

Petitions with over 600 valid signatures will be debated at full council.

Old set-up ‘was too costly to run’

HEAD of Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Simon Williams said: “We understand that the old lighting system along Weymouth seafront was popular with some people, but the bulbs were becoming unavailable and the system was extremely inefficient, costing many thousands of pounds each year in both maintenance as well as electricity costs.

“As a result of being exposed to all weathers, the light bulbs had always been prone to breakdown and operational difficulties as well as being expensive to operate.

“It is also worth noting that the lights were only lit for approximately six weeks per year, perhaps contrary to some people’s perceptions.”

Mr Williams added: “With the benefit of Arts Council and other funding the borough council has had the opportunity to introduce a new, very low energy, scheme which will be modern in form and more environmentally friendly, but sympathetic to the Esplanade’s Georgian backdrop.”

He said the lasers can only be tested at night and apologised for any inconvenience.