A COMMUNITY has rallied together to ensure a town's festive spirit shines brightly this year.

People in Loftus have joined forces to secure funding for the town's first ever Christmas Lights switch on event.

Residents were left feeling deflated with the light show in the east Cleveland town, and decided to do something about it.

Two separate ideas – one to raise cash for a Christmas tree and another to buy lighting and decorations – were put forward in the hope of creating an event the town can be proud of.

Jill Christie, who is helping to organise the event, said: "Last year so many people said they were disappointed about the Christmas lights, so rather than just complain we decided to do something about it and set about raising money to buy our own.

"When the group formed we discovered that another resident, Viv Hall, had already set up a crowdfunding page to pay for a bigger and better Christmas tree, so we decided it would make sense for us all to work together to put on the best display that we could."

As well as decorations, lights and a Christmas tree, the committee has managed to secure enough funding to pay to hire a children's ride and other entertainment as well as persuading Saltburn's Swine Dining to supply its equipment for free, so that mulled wine and roast chestnuts will be on sale on the night.

Louise Allanson, another member of the organising committee, said: "When we started, we didn't really think about how much work would be involved with getting the correct permissions and securing contractors but hopefully, it will all be worth it come the night of the switch on."

The group, which also includes Nessa Allanson, Julia Jackson and members of the local Women's Institute, managed to source funds from the Tees Valley Community Fund (Les Ball family); the East Cleveland Villages Big Local Partnership; ICL, which owns Cleveland Potash Mine; Loftus Town Council; and the town's two borough councillors, Mary Lanigan and Wayne Davies.

Cllr Davies said: "This is another great example of our community coming together to make our town a better place to live.

"Christmas is that one time of the year that can make everyone feel like a million dollars and I don't believe that happened last year. But I hope this years effort, along with our first ever Christmas light switch on event, will show our town can twinkle with the best of them."

There will be a free helium balloon for visitors, on a first come, first served basis, however, there will a charge for rides and some other events.

  • The launch will take place from 5pm on Friday, November 24, with Father Christmas switching the lights on at 5.30pm.