CHRISTMAS lights in Dunbar could be shining bright this festive season as organisers revealed the funding pot for the decorations had reached nearly £3,000.

The annual cost to manage and maintain the lights averages between £8,000 and £12,000.

The Dunbar Christmas Lights committee are a team of five volunteers.

They are seeking more members and would welcome anyone with electrical, administrative or fundraising skills.

Yvonne Wemyss, of Dunbar Christmas Lights, said: “Our costs will be higher this year as we are providing new lights down Victoria Street and around the harbour, and due to repairs attributed to some of the bad weather we experienced over the winter.

“We are discussing a proposal for new tree lights at Castle Park in 2022.”

Funding for the lights is generated from annual sponsorship fees, grant donations and fundraisers.

Yvonne added: “The Co-op local cause funding has been a godsend this year as it is helping us to meet our additional costs. So far, this funding has reached an incredible total of £2,803.16.”

The team at Dunbar Christmas Lights received their first payment of £1,831 in April; the remaining balance will be awarded in October, as Yvonne says “there is still time for people to choose us as their local cause”.

A number of fundraisers have taken place to raise funds for the lights, including a virtual cycle to Lapland, a virtual auction and a virtual talent contest.

Upcoming fundraisers include a virtual auction, starting next month.

Yvonne added: “We have already received fantastic donations, including a private charter Isle of May landing tour, donated by BlueWild boat tours.”

A race night is planned at Dunbar Royal British Legion in November.

Meanwhile, the Dunbar Christmas Lights committee and friends will virtually walk the 2,400 miles betweeen Lapland and Dunbar in early 2022.

Yvonne said the committee was grateful to individuals who kept them going through “long, cold days of up to 15 hours” and thanked Umberto’s, Café Central, The Food Hamper, Graze Coffee and Chocolate House, the Co-op and many more providers.

She added: “A thank you to the support of the local fire service and RNLI for help in putting up and taking down the lights. Without their support, we would need to close High Street for a number of days or reduce the display.”

Plans are under way for a live switch-on for 2021, with a provisional date of Sunday, November 28.

Donations can be made at membership.coop.co.uk, easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/dunbarchristmas lights or by visiting the Co-op on High Street.