Cheltenham shopping centres to save Christmas parade

Business leaders in Cheltenham have joined forces to fund this year's Christmas lights switch-on parade which was cancelled due to lack of funds.

The borough council said last week there was no spare money for the event in the town's Imperial Gardens.

The cost of the stage, stewards, road closures, and lighting is estimated to be about £33,000.

The Regent Arcade, Brewery and Beechwood shopping centres are trying to organise some events themselves.

John Forward, manager of the Regent Arcade, said: "[We] got together and said 'we've got to do something about this'.

"It's a very important time, both from a business point of view, but also for the people of Cheltenham and the kids."