HADDINGTON will be bathed in a festive glow on Sunday when its Christmas lights are switched on.

Traditionally, people would gather in the town centre to see the lights switched on, with festive activities also on offer.

However, coronavirus restrictions have seen the usual switch-on event cancelled.

Steve Gibson, who is involved in the Christmas lights display in the town, confirmed to the Courier the lights would be switched on this weekend.

He said: “We are trying to have them on on Sunday.

“But we are just going to have them switch on automatically themselves.

“There will be no switch-on event and we have just got to stick to the guidelines.”

It is expected the lights will go on at about 5pm on Sunday.

Earlier this year, Pat Lemmon, from the town’s community council, stressed the importance of ensuring there was a Christmas lights display in the town.

She said: “It has been such a bad year for everybody that, whatever happens, we have to have Christmas lights.”

Mr Gibson echoed those comments and was looking forward to the big day.

He described it as “totally disheartening” that there would not be the usual gathering in the town centre but felt it was crucial there were lights in the town, adding: “I think the whole town needs it to cheer everybody up.”

A Christmas tree is already in place outside Haddington’s Corn Exchange while there is also a second tree in the Nungate, following the success of efforts last year, which saw a tree outside the Nungate Community Centre for the first time.

Lights will stretch along Whittingehame Drive, Market Street, High Street and Court Street, while there will also be lights on a section of West Road.

Ward councillor Tom Trotter said: “It is going to be different this year but it is important. There have been several comments made over the years about how fantastic the lights are and they give everybody a lift.”