Due to Government budget cuts, the Council can no longer afford the £5000 needed to cover the cost to store, install, remove and maintain the High Street Christmas Lights and Tree.

Instead, the Council can provide match funding to constituted community groups who can then raise the remaining amount.

Newton and Earlestown Community Group have agreed to coordinate the fund raising of the match £2500, and the local Councillors in Newton East have agreed to fund the remaining £2500 from the Ward Councillor Grant Scheme.

It is hoped that businesses can cover the bulk of the cost to allow the extremely popular and busy High Street Christmas Markets to go ahead, which grew out of how successful the tree switch on had become.

All donations will be paid to the contractors along with the Council match funding in order to make this happen.

Thank you for your kindness and festive spirit!

If we don't raise the funding, the lights and tree will be scrapped.