THE festive spirit will be ushered into Great Harwood with the help of a £10,000 grant from the local area council.

The cash will be used to help pay for Christmas trees and lights to be displayed above shops on the main streets at a cost of about £3,000 to the council, though each shopkeeper will have to contribute £90 each.

A string of lights will also be hung outside the Town Hall on Queen Street at a cost of £4,000 with further plans to install a large Christmas tree at the Co-op car park.

Hyndburn Area Council co-ordinator Kerry Harmer said the scheme was intended to brighten up the town and to encourage Christmas shoppers to support local businesses.

She said : "There was a lot of criticism from local residents about the lack of festive decorations in the town over recent years, so our members decided to something about it this year.

"Area council volunteer Tony Secombe visited every business on the main streets of the town and 65 per cent of the businesses said they would take part in the scheme.

"And once we have set up the electrical connections and brackets on the shop fronts, they can be used again next year.

"If, however, the shop owners want them taken down after the celebrations, we will do it for them."

David Thompson, manager of the Chicken Shop on Queen Street, will be signing up to the scheme. He said: "It's good to advertise Great Harwood and to spruce it up a bit to make it look more attractive.

"Some traders will take part in the scheme but because there are so many closed shops, the effect will patchy. But anything that helps is better than nothing."