CHRISTCHURCH Town Council is set to fully fund Christmas in the town for a second year running.

The town council has officially started planning the Christmas lights switch-on event for 2024.

A report is due to be shared with the community committee at Tuesday evening’s meeting, to update members on how plans are progressing.

According to the report, a variety of entertainment is currently being arranged for the event, including performances from bands, singers, school choirs and dance groups, as well as a carousel, a ferris wheel, and a helter skelter.

Charities and traders have also been invited to set up stalls for food, drinks, crafts, gifts, games, and raffles.

As reported, BCP Council announced it would not be funding any Christmas lights or trees in Christchurch from 2023 onwards, having funded the Christmas tree in the past.

Christchurch Town Council has an allocated a budget of £50,000 for this year’s lights, tree and other event costs.

The 2024/25 budget also allocated £20,000 for events, with £7,000 of this already spent.

The report to the committee reads: “The total costs for the event and lighting is not expected to exceed the budget amounts remaining of £63,000 of which £48,250 is for the lighting and tree.”