UPDATE: A big thank you to all the good sports in Hitchin who laughed along with our April Fools' story below.

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HITCHIN: North Herts Council are facing further criticism after a controversial £46,300 interactive dance arch is set to blast out Eurovision Song Contest hits instead of dance music.

As Hitchin Nub News has reported previously, NHC upset residents after placing the unpopular bright orange arch next to residents living at Starlings Bridge in Bancroft.

The new Hitchin arrival, which cost nearly £50,000 of taxpayers money has been plagued with issues.

As Nub News reported, the interactive dance arch was set to play house music at loud levels while providing play opportunities for children across the district this summer.

However, not only did NHC ignore manufacturers instructions by failing to place the equipment more than 50 metres from nearby houses, Nub News can reveal that, thanks to faulty IT equipment, instead of dance music, the unpopular arch has now been set to play only Eurovision Song Contest hits across Bancroft.

Starlings Bridge resident Loof Lirpa told Nub News: "It's typical of the council to get the music wrong on the interactive arch.

"Not only did they position the interactive dance arch too close to residents - they are now going to only blare out Eurovision Song Contest hits.

"I think I'll buying some ear plugs."

Nub News has got hold of the list of Eurovision songs that will be played.

They include Montenegro's 2012 Eurovision effort called Euro Neuro by Rambo Amadeus, Luxembourg's 1980 classic from Sophie and Magaly called Le Papa Pengouin as well as Finland's 1976 entry by Fredi and Friends called Pump-Pump all of which are set to be played on a loop for hours on end.

Loof Lirpa added: "You must be joking..I should have checked the calendar...."

Story published on Friday, April 1...

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