Town councillors have pledged to not leave Harleston in the dark this Christmas by financially supporting this year's illuminations.

The future of the town's annual festive lights and switch-on event were cast into doubt earlier this year after the entire Christmas lights committee stood down. The group of volunteers blamed increasing costs and red tape for the decision.

Members of Redenhall with Harleston Town Council have now pledged to organise a lights display this year after allocating �2,500 towards the town's illuminations.

However, the lights may only stretch as far as the Market Place, a giant Christmas tree and lights on the clock tower.

Town councillors have called on the former lights committee, community groups and traders to also contribute to the illuminations to help expand the plans.

Eric Bird, vice chairman of the council, said it would be 'inconceivable' for Harleston not to have Christmas lights, but the town council needed help from others to help organise them.

The lights and switch-on event costs around �5,000 a year and were attended by Lark Rise to Candleford actress Matilda Ziegler last year.