Volunteers are facing a race against time to raise thousands of pounds to ensure a north-east town shines bright this Christmas.
People living in Peterhead are being urged to help in whatever they can to help pay for lights as part of Peterhead’s festive celebrations.
Last night, Shirley Duthie – who is leading a newly-formed group to ensure the money is raised in time – said there was a £3,000 black hole which needed filled.
The town’s previous Christmas light group stepped down last year.
And now the new organisation, which hopes to hang the lights around Drummer’s Corner in the port, need to have the funds by November 28 – the date of the official switch-on.
Ms Duthie said: “We are a new group hoping to carry on the excellent work of the previous volunteers and make sure that the town has a festive feel this Christmas.
“To illuminate the whole town centre would cost a minimum of £7,000. People are wondering why it has been left to the last minute but we only met for the first time last week.
“We hope the town will get behind us and judging by the response so far, it seems like they will.”
Ms Duthie said that if everyone gave just £1, they would have enough to light the town.
“The appeals for donations are not to purchase new lights but to maintain and erect at least some of the lights purchased in previous years,” she added.
“We have already received various donations including £500 from Peterhead Academy prefects and are delighted with the donations pledged.”
Peterhead is the latest north-east town to make a plea to local people to help fund Christmas decorations.
In neighbouring Fraserburgh, campaigners have been collecting money since September.
Oor Braw Broch was set up by mother and daughter Carolyn and Emma-Jayne May to guarantee they would have a Christmas tree come December.
The group needed to raise £2,500 to light up the town centre and, thanks to local firms who donated, met its target.