The dark side of Cheap Street in Frome should be lit up by the end of the month.

That was the claim made at the Frome Town Council meeting which heard that there have been no lights on in the picture-perfect street, which has a water channel running the length of it, weeks.

Councillors were told that they had been informed back on March 3 by Somerset County Council that lights would be operational again by the end of the month. The problem with the lights is said to be electrical not because of any engineering faults.

The lights not working on the street have led to at least one serious accident. According to reports last month a woman had fallen into the leat and broke her finger due to the darkness.

Cheap Street in Frome is one of the most well-preserved Medieval streets in Europe and the name comes from the medieval word 'Cheap' or 'ceap' meaning 'to sell' and more loosely 'market'.  

Although there are now several empty businesses along the street, and we understand that the sale of the former Amica shop at the top of Cheap Street is now actively being for sale again, it is still a big draw for tourists.

One tourist blog gushes : " As soon as you enter Cheap Street, you'll be transported back in time! There are so many ancient buildings here in all different shapes and sizes.  Many of them are traditional timber-framed black and white houses that date back to Elizabethan times like The Old Bake House. One of my favourite houses along Cheap Street has to be the one found at the top of the lane. It's circular and looks almost like a witch's hat! "