COLCHESTER Council saved £15,000 when the Castle Park Winter Wonderland failed before Christmas.

The authority had set aside the money for a number of promotional events after the attraction would have closed in January.

But because the event failed due to melting ice, as a result of record-breaking December temperatures, that money has now been recouped.

It will be added to the £20,000 which had initially been set aside to pay to light up the town’s Roman walls.

In total, £194,000 went unspent last year.

That money will be spent on a similar scheme to the Big Choice award, which saw a number of organisations given at least £25,000 last year.

This year, however, it will be focused on smaller community groups with a minimum award of £10,000.

Some £40,000 has also been set aside to be spent on a number of town centre events over the next 18 months, aimed at bringing more people to the area.

And £30,000 will be used to establish a rent deposit scheme for 25 families who are declared homeless.

About £24,000 will be used to provide household goods, such as ovens, fridges and beds, for 50 families who have been re-homed and are living on low levels of income.