Aldwick set to light up for Christmas

The seven shooting star illuminations '“ about 6ft tall and 3ft wide '“ will be switched on during Saturdayafternoon to co-incide with the town centre lights.

The decorative displays have been fixed to lampposts along the busy area with its mainly independent businesses. The decision to bring some Christmas cheer at last to the shops and offices was made by Bognor Regis Town Council after the Aldwick Business Association called for action.

The association was formed almost two years ago with the intention of focusing attention on the west end shopping area on the boundary of Bognor and Aldwick council areas.

Association chairman Tim Holland said: 'Getting Christmas lights along the road was one of our main objectives. We intend to make a contribution towards the cost of the lights in the hope of making them permanent.

'The lights will improve the appearance of the road and make it stand out. Hopefully, they will persuade people who would otherwise drive by into the town centre to stop here.

'We want to make Aldwick Road a separate destination from the town centre.'

The lights have been recycled from Bognor Regis Seafront Lights. They formerly hung above the promenade.

But the lighting volunteers put them into storage when they bought new displays.

It has cost the town council about 2,700 to refurbish and install the displays. Running costs until early January will be extra.

Cllr Rob Gillibrand, the chairman of the council's Christmas lights sub-committee, said: 'It is easy to forget that Aldwick Road is part of the town's shopping area. It needs to be promoted as much as possible. The Christmas lights help to do that.

He hoped extra displays would be installed along Aldwick Road for Christmas 2008 if funding was provided by the traders.

n Pupils' designs in lights '“ page 4