BUSINESSES are being urged to play their part in making Andover's Christmas lights switch-on an event to match last year's spectacular success.

And their generous community spirit will be highlighted in the Andover Advertiser every week until the end of the year.

Test Valley Borough Council provided the funding to buy new lights last year which will soon be going up again around the town centre.

But the cost of maintaining the lights as well as paying for the extensive entertainment programme for the switch-on ceremony is in the hands of the Christmas Lights and Festival Association.

This group, made up of volunteers from diverse sections of the community, is tasked with organising the entire proceedings, from getting the lights erected and calling up the bands and choirs to ensuring Santa's reindeer are safely corralled.

Staging an event such as this costs about £10,000 and although there is already a commitment from a small number of firms and organisations there is still a long way to go.

With Andover still riding high on a strong economy it would only take a modest donation of about £50 from every business in the area to cover the cost of a superb evening of entertainment for their employees and families.

As in previous years the Andover Advertiser will carry a Roll of Honour every week with the names of every contributor to the Christmas in Andover appeal appearing until the end of the year.

Cheques should be made payable to the Christmas Lights and Festival Association and taken or sent to Pam Whitehouse, Solitaire Jewellers, 21 High Street, Andover, SP10 1LJ or Sue Bennett, Dawkins Pet Supplies, 9 Union Street Andover.