THE streets of Petersfield will be lit up this Christmas after town councillors agreed to release vital funds this week.

The future of the Christmas lights had been thrown into jeopardy in May when last yearÕs organisers called it a day.

But two weeks ago a new group took over, promising a family-orientated Christmas in the town complete with lights, rides and Christmas stalls.

The Associates of Petersfield Enterprises (APE) started work on the lights two weeks ago, and on Monday earmarked funds from the town council, totalling £13,000, were released.

APE has recruited a number of volunteers and is currently preparing the displays for a November 28 switch-on.

Sal Cardu, the man heading up the project, told The Herald this week: ÒIt means we can start planning and start purchasing materials for the lights. We are right up against it. We really did not need any setbacks, and not getting this money would have been a major setback.Ó

But he added: ÒI am delighted with the way it is going right now. We just need some snow on November 28 - you never know.Ó

ÒWe do need to raise funds for the Christmas lights, the accounts show more than £6,500 is spent on them and this year we want to do more. We need a Christmas fund drive, if there are businesses who want to donate we will be knocking on doors.Ó

Town councillors agreed to release the £6,500 in their budget for Christmas lights and a further £6,500 grant that had been set aside for the old marketing group.

Town mayor George Watkinson told the town council meeting: ÒThey have started working on Christmas lights. They are rushed off their feet even at having a try to get these up for Christmas.Ó

Bob Ayer urged colleagues to release the money immediately without condition.

He said: ÒThey donÕt have any money at the moment and itÕs October 6. I do not think itÕs a good time for us to put a spanner in the works.Ó

He added: ÒThey will fail if we do not have confidence in them from day one. I propose funding is released without condition.

But there was also a stark warning to the new group from Mr Ayer.

ÒIf this is going to continue beyond this evening there must be demonstrable funding from businesses,Ó he said