ONLY three businesses have stumped up cash towards the Christmas lights since the Advertiser named and shamed the Scrooges of the town more than two weeks ago.

The Evening Advertiser exposed a chilly side to the Christmas spirit when it was reported that out of 190 shops and restaurants in the town centre, only 20 had helped towards the cost of this year's Christmas festivities.

Since then only three more businesses have pledged their support.

Tesco Metro has donated £1,000, while Dixons and the Brunel Rooms have also donated cash.

Tesco customer service manager John Turner said the company was delighted to be supporting the Christmas events

He said: "We are undertaking the initiative to be number one locally and this is a very good way to get involved with community issues."

Kelly Evans, spokeswoman for Dixons, said: "We have donated £100 and are delighted to be contributing to the Christmas lights.

"This Christmas especially the community will be at the forefront of everyone's minds and we'd like to be a symbol of that spirit."

Dixons had planned to donate to the festivities before the article was published but blame administration processing for the delay.

The Brunel Rooms managing director, Stephen Reid, said of the donation: "We have always contributed to Swindon town and this is yet another way we can help out. I am looking forward to seeing the lights and all the events."

Town centre manager Bernie Maguire and his team first approached 170 shop managers in May, asking for £50 from each to help pay for the Christmas lights and events. Only one, The Body Shop, sent any cash.

So in September the town centre management team sent 150 letters to retailers suggesting donations, from £50 to £2,500 depending on the size of the shops, and went to more than 50 stores to talk to managers personally.

Before these latest donations the total money raised was just £2,400 towards the £50,000 cost of the commercial build-up to Christmas.

The money is being spent on events and attractions in the run-up to Christmas. Last week saw the firework extravaganza in Faringdon Road Park followed by late night shopping in the town centre.

Tonight is the community celebration night when a synthetic ice rink will be the star attraction in Canal Walk.

Town bosses also hope to host the biggest carol concert Swindon has seen, under the canopy outside Debenhams.

Shopmobility, based in the Wyvern car park, will be in town for its yearly Christmas outing, benefiting over 170 less-abled people in an initiative sponsored by the Evening Advertiser.

Young people aged between 14 and 16 from the Cadets, the Sea Cadets and local schools will also be offering their help to ease the pressure of Christmas shopping.

The Christmas lights switch-on will take place next Thursday at the heart of the town centre outside Debenhams.

This year the honour of lighting up the town goes to Rod, Jane and Freddy from the children's hit TV show Rainbow. They will be appearing in the Wyvern Theatre's pantomime, Cinderella.

Swindon's annual Christmas Carnival event hits the streets of Swindon town centre on Sunday, November 25 in a blaze of colour and noise.

For details on Shopmobility call Tony Hearne on 512621. For more on the carnival call Town Centre Management on 424053.