UP to £15,000 of new displays will give Maryport a sparkling merry Christmas this year.

Maryport Town Council's finance committee, which incorporates all councillors, agreed this week to add another 28 light displays to the town.

A similar exercise last year cost £12,000.

It is not just the lights that brighten the town at Christmas, however.

Town clerks Paul Bramley and Lisa Douglas, who do most of the arranging of the Christmas festival, said it is the help of volunteers that have made any lighting improvements possible.

In a report to the council, they said: "The council has a small festival budget...

"Voluntary assistance from local organisations, traders and council representatives has been most helpful."

They said the festival is focused on families and the involvement with schools and other organisations will continue in the future.

The lights will be switched on on Saturday, November 18 so as not to clash with events in surrounding towns.