COMMUNITY-spirited Stourport businesses and councillors have dug deep to fund sparkling new Christmas lights for the town.

The annual Three Kings Parade and Stourport Christmas lights event will take place on November 24 with BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter Malcolm Boyden flicking the switch.

He will be joined by the town Mayor Vi Higgs, Carnival Royal consort of Queen Antonia Alberone-Chamberlain, Princess Emily Edwards and Rosebud Roxie Jordan and Father Christmas.

Organisers appealed to people in the town for support to replace the old stock with more energy efficient and environmentally friendly LED lights.

And the town responded by donating a total of £2,500. Among the new displays will be blue lighting in memory of much-loved Stourport businessman Derek Fradgley, who died in July, and a surprise special feature that will be placed in Villeneuve Gardens.

Businesses that donated include Richard Hall Machinery, Lickhill Caravan Park, Stourport Yacht Club, Neil Barton – Personal Finance Advice Ltd, Rendevous Amusements, M T Plumbing, Londis in Areley Kings, Alarm 2000, Cooks Florist and The Shuttle.

Donations were also provided by Stourport Rotary Club, the Town Centre Forum, the Town Council and Councillors Vi Higgs, Ken Henderson and Paul Harrison.

Organiser Pete Roberts said: “I appealed and I am delighted with the way people have responded. I can’t thank them enough for their generosity.

“The new LED lights are more cost effective than our previous ones and better for the environment so there are long term benefits to bringing them in.

“The event remains a popular date in our calendar and we are looking forward to another wonderful event for families to enjoy.”