IT had threatened to be Southampton's gloomiest ever Christmas.

But the Daily Echo has joined forces with other organisations to ensure the city centre enjoys some festive spirit this year.

The paper has spent thousands of pounds on two giant 25ft Norwegian pine trees to stand beside the historic Bargate.

It stepped in after cost-cutting council chiefs had planned to scrap funding for lights and decorations as part of massive cutbacks, leaving shoppers and traders facing a bleak Christmas period.

The generous gesture has delighted business bosses in the city.

City centre manager Ian Rothwell said: "We are delighted that the Daily Echo has stepped in. This will help make the city centre very decorative over the Christ-mas period."

The festive spirit is spreading after one city centre business, which wishes to remain anonymous, dug deep to hand over £7,000 for a Christmas lights fund.

The donation also spurred civic leaders, who had been branded Scrooge-like for axing their festive budget, into action and they have now matched the sum.

The big switch-on will come on Sunday, November 16, as part of the city's Christmas shopping launch.

There will also be a special church service following calls by the Rev Ian Johnson, Rector of Southampton City Parish. He launched the campaign as the festive shopping launch, traditionally held on Thursday nights, was changed to a Sunday because traders said it would boost trade.

The Rev Johnson said: "I'm delighted there will be an active worship on the day. It will help remind people that Christmas is not just about buying and receiving presents."

A spokesman for Southamp-ton Chamber of Commerce said: "With Southampton being such a big retail centre, lights and decorations are an essential part of the Christmas shopping experience.

"I am delighted that the Daily Echo and other local businesses have been able to support the city in this way."

The city council had previously budgeted £30,000 for festive lights displays. A spokesman said: "We are pleased that businesses are also making a significant contribution to this year's city centre display of lights

"As a council we are unable to bear the full cost of the Christmas lights display, but we are always happy to look at ways we can work with local businesses to market the city as a welcoming retail destination, making Southampton the number one choice for shopping over the festive period."