BUSINESSES have joined forces to light up Crook for Christmas.

The centre of the town has been without lights in previous years because of a lack of money to pay for a display.

But on Friday, three children from the town's primary school will switch on a new display, lighting up six trees adjacent to the Market Square, in North Terrace, at 4pm.

Money collected from traders through the Crook Community Partnership has been boosted by grants from Wear Valley District Council and the Single Regeneration Budget.

Partnership secretary David Neil said businesses had responded well.

He said: "We have been given money by 23 businesses, but we still have another £400 to find. The traders have been very supportive."

In nearby Bishop Auckland, however, businesses are taking a dim view of plans for a Christmas display. The town's Chamber of Trade held an emergency meeting yesterday which decided to continue a fundraising night tomorrow, at the Queen's Head.

Despite pleas from organisers Margaret Ellis and Sue Snowden, few tickets have been sold for the event, featuring 13-piece band Soul Survivors and the Flash Dance disco.

The chamber hopes to collect £1,000 for lights in the town.

Mrs Snowden said: "We are now telling people they can pay on the door. We are urging them to come forward to support this, because it will make a tremendous difference."