Let there be light

Christmas cheer is being spread around Blackpool as Christmas lights are switched on in a series of community events.

Every year ward councillors work with local residents and businesses to organise festive decorations in their local area.

This year more than 15 trees have been decorated and will be lit up during the festive period.

Cllr Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “I’ve been lucky enough to attend some of the fabulous Christmas light switch on events that have already taken place in our local communities.

“It has been really exciting to see our local residents enjoying the start of the Christmas celebrations. “We have worked hard as a team with the illuminations and parks teams to ensure that every ward is happy with their Christmas tree. We took the decision to remove some of the planted trees that were not fairing so well and replace them with cut trees this year.

“The cut trees will be recycled in the New Year and the planted trees have been moved to an area where they can hopefully thrive and return once they are more established.

“It is important to us to be as sustainable as possible and our long term aim is to have really healthy looking planted trees across all wards.”

Over the coming days the remaining trees and lights will be switched on across the town.

There’s also free skating to enjoy in the town centre with the return of the Christmas by the Sea event on the Promenade opposite the Tower. The village also includes festive light installations and projection shows, themed log cabins, artificial snowfalls, Christmas trees and Christmas tram rides.