Coleford could have its own Leveson-style inquiry over national newspaper reports about its early Christmas lights.

The Press Complaints Commission is investigating after one newspaper implied that Eurocrats were to blame for Christmas coming early to Coleford.

If they are found to have breached a code on accuracy the Daily Mail may have to apologise to the town.

For the past 30 years a dedicated team of volunteers have saved the town money by putting up the Coleford Christmas lights.

Because it takes six days and they can only work on Sundays, the lights have to start going up in mid-October to be ready for the big switch-on on November 30.

For the past four years Coleford has reputedly been the first town in the country to start decking out the centre with festive decorations.

Civic leaders say the honour puts Coleford on the map and means it is second only to Blackpool in terms of being famous for its lights.

Using volunteers to erect more than 160 illuminations also means the Coleford Christmas lights costs £4,500 a year compared with two or three times that amount in some similar-sized towns.

But they have now agreed to back a complaint to the PCC by an unknown member of the public who was unhappy when the Daily Mail ran a story which seemed to suggest it was because of European red tape.

"To say the reason the lights have gone up so early is because we are changing to LED to meet European regulations and every single one has to be tested is rubbish," said town clerk Annie Lapington.

"This is a very positive story about volunteers giving up their time to make sure the town gets a good a display of Christmas lights. That's why we hate it when it is used as a criticism."