COLEFORD may not have any Christmas lights this year if help to put them up does not materialise.

In a heartfelt plea for more local support Nicky Holloway of the Christmas Lights Volunteer committee says: "The team urgently needs more help to make Coleford's lights the best in the West.

"It takes the volunteers between six and eight weeks to erect all the displays that we have in Coleford.

"If you can spare just a few hours or even a full day on a Sunday we would appreciate any hands on help. No skills are necessary – if you can make tea, sweep up or change a light bulb you can help.

"We meet at the Clock Tower at 9.30am on Sunday mornings. Please feel free to pop along if you think you can help out."

This year's grand switch on will take place on Friday November 25 at 6.30pm.

"Although this sounds a long way off it is actually only five working Sundays to get all the displays up and working," says Nicky.

"We also need people who are interested in having a stall on the night of the switch on to contact us as places are now limited – telephone 07743 292386 if you want to book your pitch or want more information on volunteering your time."