Businessman seeks to save Chichester's Christmas lights

Chichester's Christmas lights cost £30,000 to maintain, store, put up and take down every year

An anonymous benefactor has stepped in to help a West Sussex city which could face a Christmas without lights.

Chichester City Council said it could not meet the full cost of putting up lights this year, and asked local businesses to contribute £15,000.

However, it has now been revealed that an unidentified businessman has offered to pay whatever cannot be raised.

The figure matches that provided by the council which comes from householders, via the city precept on council tax.

The council said key issues relating to the offer still needed to be clarified.

The Christmas lights in Chichester, which have been displayed for the past 16 years, cost £30,000 to maintain, store, put up and take down every year.