Every effort is being made to make Axminster look as festive as possible this Christmas, despite the coronavirus restrictions which have curtailed fundraising events this year.

All businesses in the town have been sent a letter from Cindy Furse, the driving force behind the Light Up Axminster organisation, giving details of all the arrangements being made.

The usual switch-on event will not take place this year. The celebrations were due to be held in Silver Street and Church Street and Cindy has told the traders in this area that they have "not been forgotten" and hopefully they will be able to "celebrate in style" next year.

Cindy has confirmed the Christmas trees above the various shops will go up in the week commencing November 23rd and they are hoping to raise some funds to keep the cost to the minimum.

The Christmas illuminations will also be going up similar to last year with the exception. of the cross-street lights in the town centre. Unfortunately, it had not been possible to raise funds to hire and install these lights this year. The lights will be going up on November 27th/28th.

Funds have been secured, however, for the Christmas window competition and information will be sent out to all traders in the coming weeks with the theme "Finding Alight In The Darkness".

Cindy said: "It was felt this can be interpreted in many ways and brings us all a little glimmer of hope throughout the strange times we are living in."

Alongside the Christmas window competition Lighting Up Axminster is supporting the Minster Church team's "Walking Advent Calendar". They are looking of 23 shops to host an advent window that will be opened on their dedicated day with a final big reveal on The Minster Green on Christmas Eve.

Those who would like a window should contact the Reverend Tracey Voysey via email: [email protected]