TEMPERS flared last night at a meeting to discuss Dorchester's Christmas lights.

Fundraiser Margaret Morrissey stormed out of the Dorchester chamber of commerce meeting after becoming involved in a row with town councillor Tom Parsley.

The argument started when Coun Parsley questioned an assertion that Dorchester Town Council could be left to pick up the bill for Christmas lights in future years.

Mike Cole, of Decorate Dorchester, the body that has been raising money for Christmas lights in the county town, explained that the committee had agreed in principle to begin a three-year, £48,000 rental contract with a private lighting firm.

He said the £22,000 raised so far would in effect be handed over to the town council, which would then become responsible for maintaining that contract. He said should Decorate Dorchester as a body cease to exist the scheme would continue in the hands of the council.

When Coun Parsley asked what would happen if no money was donated by businesses to service the contract, Mr Cole replied: "That's their problem."

Coun Parsley said: "The town council are going to be called on to underwrite the project for the full three-year term and that's not an obligation that the town council gave its undertaking for."

Mrs Morrissey rounded on Coun Parsley and stood up, saying: "There were plenty of opportunities to discuss this at earlier meetings. I haven't got time to waste talking to people like this." She then walked out.

Committee member Joss Baker said Coun Parsley was being negative. She said: "We will be lighting Dorchester irrespective. We gave people an opportunity to debate this.

"You could have come to the meetings."

Mrs Morrissey returned to the meeting after Coun Parsley had left and apologised to those present for losing her temper.

After the meeting members of the Decorate Dorchester committee said Coun Parsley had been negative about the lights campaign and the organisations behind it in the past.

Coun Parsley said afterwards: "It concerns me that it is a lot of money that they are committing. If Decorate Dorchester decide they are sick of raising funds, who is going to meet the outstanding commitments?" He said that as far as he was aware the council agreed to contribute £5,000 annually, with the option of another £1,500 for Christmas trees and extra lights.

"But I'm not aware of there having been an open- ended cheque promised. If Decorate Dorchester put it across that the town council will underwrite it the incentive for businesses to support it will stop."