MUCH-needed cash is flowing into a project aimed at ensuring Romsey’s festive lights sparkle this Christmas.

The £1,500 has come from Hampshire County and Test Valley Borough councils’ ‘Have Your Say’ scheme where the public choose worthy causes for funding.

Romsey Town Council has been given the cash to help cover a funding gap.

Town centre manager Mark Edgerley, who is working with a group of residents, led by Kai Drake, to raise money for the lights, said it was “fantastic news” for everyone in Romsey but there was still some way to go to make up the shortfall.

He said the news of the grant was “all the more rewarding because it was voted for by local residents, demonstrating a very strong local desire to see all the Romsey Christmas lights on again this year.”

The Town Council halved its Christmas Lights budget this year as savings were needed to cover the £120,000 cost of repairs to the town hall. Mr Edgerley said: “We have now closed the gap to less than £3,000 but it is important that we continue our fundraising efforts to ensure we can not only have lights this year but they remain as part of our Christmas street scene into the future.”

A tabletop sale is due to be held at Romsey Town Hall between 10.30am and 12.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) to raise funds for the lights.