Residents rally to save Christmas lights switch-on

The official lights switch-on for Holt has been cancelled by local organisers

A campaign is under way to save a town's Christmas light switch-on after organisers said it would not take place this year.

Business group LoveHolt cited high costs, some negative online comments and a lack of volunteers for pulling out of November's event in the Norfolk town.

Its website said Holt's Christmas trees would still be lit and it hoped the switch-on, which also included fireworks, would return for 2025.

A crowdfunding page for an alternative event has been set up with the aim of raising £2,500.

The light switch-on is a popular event in the Norfolk market town

Retired police officer Sandy Anneke is one of those calling for a replacement event.

She said: "We feel this is really important for our community and our businesses to have something really traditional on a smaller scale for Christmas, without the fireworks, but that will still attract lots of fun and festivities for our town."

Fellow fundraiser Kat Semmence-Allison said: "It's very popular, it brings the community and business together and gives us the opportunity to raise vital funds for charity, so it's really important to us. We all look forward to it."

Both women are urging people who may have organised similar events in the past to join their committee.

The light show was supposed to take place on 15 November.

LoveHolt has been asked to comment further.