IT might be eight months away but a newly-formed Coleford Christmas Lights committee are already preparing for the festivities.

After the town council received the news last September that the former committee were no longer taking care of arrangements, a new group has been created to ensure there is a display this year.

Secretary Nicky Holloway said: "We held our first meeting last Thursday and it was really successful. The committee aims to fundraise throughout the year which will hopefully cover the cost of repairing the lights, which didn't go up last year.

"We need volunteers who can test and help with the erection of the lights on weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

"I must point out that we're not going to get the town looking like it did five years ago – we need more time to do that – but we are positive there will not be a repeat of last year. We know how important the lights are to people and want to do it justice. We're aiming to decorate the clock tower and whatever else we can fit in.

"I would like to say thank you to everybody that turned up and to those who couldn't make it due to other commitments."

Can you help light up Coleford this Christmas? If so, contact Nicky via the Coleford Christmas Lights Facebook page or call Coleford Town Council on 01594 832103.