KINDHEARTED Trowbridge pupil Thomas Carpenter had a very special reason for wanting to switch on the town's Christmas lights display.

Thomas, who lives in Chepston Place, was chosen this week from 85 entries to flick the switch that lights up the town's festive display next Friday.

The judges were won over by his letter, which explained the delight it would be for his nine-year-old sister Rachel, who is blind.

He wrote: "I am writing for Rachel because you will not be able to read Braille. It would be a great experience for her and give her a feeling of importance. She would be able to experience the excitement and anticipation of the lights going on, and hear the crowd roar."

Thomas and Rachel, who both go to St John's Primary School, will join town mayor Angela Milroy to switch on the lights in front of the thousands expected to pack into the town centre for the switch-on at 6.30pm next Friday.

St John's School headteacher Paul Fuller said the school was thrilled Thomas had won the Wiltshire Times competition. The entries were judged by Wiltshire Times marketing manager Louise Keenan, town councillor Mary Stacey and Tesco manager Steve Goswell.

Mrs Keenan said: "We were all very impressed with the standard of the entries and choosing a winner was very difficult."

The five runners-up were five-year-old Alice Beaven, of Hollis Way, Southwick; Alice Hibdige, six, of Gibbs Leaze, Hilperton; Daniel Mason, six, of Park Close, North Bradley; Emma Cosslett, seven, of Elm Close, Staverton and Charlotte Annal, 10, of Branley Lane, Trowbridge.

The runners-up all win a book and a Teeny Beany toy donated by the town's Tesco store.