THREE thousand twinkling lights will be shining from Salisbury's civic Christmas tree throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities, each one remembering someone special.

The symbolic lights are at the forefront of Salisbury Hospice's Light Up A Life campaign which aims to raise money to help towards the £650,000 annual cost of maintaining and developing the work of the hospice and its specialist palliative care services.

Fundraising co-ordinator for the hospice, John Lakeman, said during the festive period they were asking people to remember someone special and donate one of the twinkling lights to them.

The name of the person and a dedication message will go into a special bound book, which will be on display at the hospice from March next year.

The lights were switched on by Mayor of Salisbury Bobbie Chettleburgh on Sunday afternoon and by Monday morning more than £2,000 had been raised.

Taking part in the ceremony were the choir of St John's Church, Tisbury, St John's primary school in Tisbury and Amesbury Town Band.

Reeves the Bakers donated mince pies to a crowd of more than 300 people.

Mr Lakeman said the special lights will remain throughout the festive period and well into the New Year.