Stratford Christmas Lights in the running for Pride of Stratford award

It costs £75,000 to put on the lights display each year, raised through contributions from Stratford Town Council, local businesses, The Stratford Town Trust and fundraising activities.

Each year the eight member company puts its efforts into improving the lights on one of the 10 streets it covers, and this year it was Greenhill Street to receive extra attention.

Maureen Beckett, a director at the Stratford Christmas Lights Company, said: “For a town of our size I think we do fantastically well with our Christmas lights, I think Stratford has become quite famous for its display.

“People come to town to see the lights and that of course benefits the businesses. I think they’re one of the top four displays in the country, I think they’re better than the ones in London.

“I and all the volunteers are delighted that we are up for this award, we have a lot of fun doing it and we really enjoy putting on the display.”

Other members of the Stratford Christmas Light Company are Mick Love, Donna Barker, Roy Lodge, Jay Scott, Victoria Alcock, Jeanette Dyson, John Elliot and Claire Love.