MOST of us haven't even thought about our Summer holidays yet. But one group of of merry tradesmen in Leyland are already counting down the days until Christmas.

Accountants and shop owners of the Christmas Lighting Association are planning to bring a sparkle to the town centre with festive cheer and bright lights .

Preparations to transform the shopping centre from Golden Hill Lane to the end of Towngate will start once the association's received a £1,000 grant from South Ribble Council.

Christine Brown, property manager of Brown and Lonsdale Accountants, who launched the idea, decided Leyland needed a splash of colour during the dark winter days.

She said: "Leyland's town centre is always getting a bad press. The decorations probably won't bring more shoppers into the town but we hope it will cheer everyone up."

The association plans to use the money to buy light bulbs and harnesses to decorate Christmas trees. The equipment will then be hired out to traders.

"We 're starting off with just a few decorations and hope it will take over the whole town, " Christine added.

Councillor Bill Evans said: "The scheme is great news for Leyland."

By the way, there are still 250 days to go until Christmas.

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