Yeovil and Ilchester have shunned official street decorations for May’s Olympic torch relay – some of which are thought to cost thousands of pounds.

Both Yeovil Town Council and Ilchester Parish Council have confirmed they won’t use official material on their section of the historic procession ahead of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Instead the two councils will use their own alternative decorations.

The possible costs of using official decorations in Yeovil and Ilchester were not available, but decking out Somerton would have cost £15,000 it emerged last week. Somerton Town Council has also rejected the official banners.

Yeovil Town Council said it had chosen to put up traditional bunting instead – using the decorations to mark other events in the town including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

It said the decision was mindful of the “current economic climate” and their solution was at a “reasonable cost”.

Philip Horsington, clerk to Ilchester Parish Council, said the parish will not be buying any of the official torch procession decorations.

He said councillors had looked at brochures of official decorations but considered the prices too expensive.

A detailed costing for buying official decorations for Ilchester was not drawn up but it was expected that it could run into several thousand pounds.

Mr Horsington said: “Ilchester will do its own thing to mark the procession in conjunction with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. There will not be any official Olympic torch banners but there will be some sort of decoration.”

It is understood there are strict rules on decorations along the route of the procession, particularly banning any form of unofficial advertising.

The 70-day Olympic relay will start at Land’s End in Cornwall on Saturday, May 19, and pass through south Somerset on Tuesday, May 22.

The flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational torchbearers, each with a personal story of achievement or who have contributed to their community.

On the tour of south Somerset it will pass through Ilminster, Yeovil and Ilchester. There are hopes that Wincanton could be involved too.

It will reach the Olympic Stadium on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The exact route is currently being kept confidential.

Yeovil Town clerk Alan Tawse said: “Yeovil Town Council is proud of the fact that Yeovil has been chosen to participate in this year’s Olympic torch procession.

“This will give the people of Yeovil the opportunity to witness this unique event.

“Mindful of the other national and local events that are taking place in 2012 – including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Paralympic Games – and conscious of the current economic climate, the town council has decided to bedeck the town centre using its red, white and blue bunting throughout the spring and summer months.

“This bunting will form an effective and attractive backdrop at a reasonable cost and will help local people and visitors to the town celebrate this special year.”