Christmas lights in Romsey will be shining for a bit longer this year, to keep people’s spirits up during this third national lockdown.

Romsey Town Council has arranged for the uplifting decorations to stay up until mid February to make the town look a little brighter during this difficult time.

Traditionally, they would come down on the Twelfth Night which usually falls on January 6.

Cllr John Parker, who represents Romsey Tadburn on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) said: “The decision has been made to keep the lights on to brighten people’s lives a little bit and I think it’s a great idea.

“Because of the type of lights they are, they’re not very fancy shapes or colours, and because they stretch from side to side in the main streets, they almost give you a feeling that you’ve got a ceiling above you.

“It seems to be cosier and more welcoming. Some of the Christmas lights in other places seem too distant or too decorative.”

Due to national restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus, which had been spiralling out of control, members of the public have been instructed once more to stay at home.

Shopping for essentials and exercise are among the limited circumstances which allow us to get out.

Keeping the lights on for longer is not an invitation to come out, Cllr Parker pointed out, but rather something nice for people to experience while they’re already in town.

He said: “Don’t come out just to see the lights because that’s not an essential journey, but while you’re out doing an essential journey, enjoy them.”

The decision to keep the lights on has been welcomed by residents in Romsey.

Commenting below a Facebook post shared by Cllr Parker, a resident said: “I leave for work and come home from work everyday and it’s pitch black both in the morning and evenings. I get to walk through the town centre everyday in order to make a partial commute to my work... the lights cheer me up and prep me for my challenging day ahead as I’m a key worker... it’s the little things like this that make a difference!”