CIVIC leaders have moved to tackle a row over popular Christmas lights display in Hampshire by imposing traffic calming measures in the neighbourhood.

The annual winter wonderland in a Hedge End cul de sac raises thousands of pounds for charity each year but has received soaring complaints due to increased traffic and damage to grass verges caused by the thousands of visitors descending on the site.

The Greyhound Close display in pictures Now planners for Eastleigh Borough Council have pledged to spend £1,400 signs and highway restrictions in the Greyhound Close area to ease the traffic and illegal parking in nearby roads.

But the Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee echoed calls for residents in the close's 11 houses to help pay towards costs of future damage caused and voluntarily steward it themselves.

As previously reported increased traffic and and damage to grass verges by people trying to catch a glimpse of the spectacular display cost Eastleigh Borough Council £2,000 last year to put right.

But people living in the close have refused to use funds donated for their charity causes to pay for traffic control measures and may have to pull the plug altogether.

The display, which has raised £38,000 since it began in 2003 and £18,000 for Naomi House Hospice last year, is held on private land and authorities say they have no actual powers to prevent it.

No-one from the close spoke at the meeting but nearby resident Matthew Richards said there was a need for parking controls and told the panel: "The lights are great. But things need to be sorted with people being fed up with cars being parked over their driveways."

Hedge End Grange Park East Ward representative Councillor Ian Corben said: "It's a sight to be seen but local residents need to have use of their property let alone the roads."

Panel member Cllr Louise Bloom called for Greyhound Close residents to pay towards the cost of future damages and suggest they voluntarily steward the event.

She said: "The verges are churned up and people can't get into their driveways. It's horrendous. The residents need to take a level of responsibility. Everybody knows fundraising has its costs and this should be part of the costs."

The panel voted to pay £752 towards protective posts in Maunsell Way, £350 for No Access signs and £294 for directional signs.

They also proposed that local people get more involved in marshalling and stewarding.

The meeting also heard how the Greyhound Close residents are trying to seek sponsorship to pay towards future costs.