Christmas wreaths banned at Brighton council flats

Image caption The warning notices tell residents they will be asked to remove wreaths, lights or decorations

Tenants of council flats in Brighton have been sent letters telling them not to put wreaths or other Christmas decorations on their front doors.

The council says decorations are a potential fire hazard but residents say the decision is Scrooge-like.

"The worst that is going to happen is you are going to get concussion from a paper chain landing on your head," said resident Stephan Bennett.

"All we are trying to do is keep people safe," said spokesman Michael Meik.

The council has sent letters to tenants and put warning signs up in blocks of flats.

Image caption Stephan Bennett said most of the decorations people put up were made of paper

"We are not being Scrooge," said Brighton and Hove City Council fire safety adviser Mr Meik.

"Unfortunately we can't be in the housing stock 24 hours a day and we don't know what people are going to be putting up.

"If we go round to a housing block and find there are any sort of Christmas decorations we will be asking people to take them down."

But Mr Meik said decorations were allowed in the city council's offices, where there are several escape routes.

"We have great control over our council office buildings," he said.

"There is no sleeping accommodation and we have 24-hour security."