THE lights went up all over Corsham as volunteers helped to line the High Street with festive illuminations.

Volunteers from the Defence Communication Services Agency, which has its headquarters at Basil Hill Barracks on the outskirts of the town, turned out to help put up the lights.

Town clerk Elaine Giles who co-ordinated the lights, said the group had managed to complete most of the task of decorating the High Street in one day.

"We couldn't have done it without the DCSA people," she said.

Coun Jock Fraser, who also turned out to help, said: "It's been a real community effort because there has been support from many businesses and people."

Corsham town councillors had warned earlier this year there would be no Christmas lights at all unless the money could be found to pay for their repairs.

After an appeal to businesses and people across the town, more than £1,500 has poured in to fund the lights.

Corsham's Chamber of Commerce had been in charge of the lights but told the council it could no longer do it.

The Christmas lights will be switched on by the DCSA chief executive General Tony Raper on December 1 at 6pm.