A TARGET of £20,000 for Skipton's Christmas lights has finally been reached thanks to the hundreds of businesses and individuals who contributed.

Fresh AM's Mark Reason raised about £8,000 from his sponsored world record broadcast and on air auction.

The rest has come from 150 pledges of support from businesses, a huge number of individuals and Skipton Town Council.

"The response has been colossal really, loads of people have contributed right down to children bringing £1.80 pocket money," said Mr Reason.

Just weeks ago the lights were going to be funded by a measly £2,500 after the Chamber of Trade renounced responsibility of the illuminations because it was not getting enough support from the bigger companies, and Skipton Town Council had not precepted any more for the lights.

But now, the Christmas lights working party made up of representatives from the council, businesses, residents and Fresh AM can start planning a Christmas to remember.

Skipton's R&B Electrical has been contracted to put up the lights and has already begun work on the High Street.

All last year's lights will be refurbished and put up and new displays will be bought to ensure the illuminations extend from Water Street, to the Castle, down the High Street and Sheep Street, along Swadford Street, onto Coach Street and into Victoria Square.

"We want to encourage people to move around from one area and look round the whole town," said Mr Reason.

New lights will also be purchased for the big Christmas tree outside the town hall.

The lights will be switched on simultaneously for the first time on December 1 at 7.30pm as part of a huge street event including bands and fire-eaters.

Accounts containing every pledge and all the amounts spent will be available for public inspection. Mr Reason said there would be enough money left over to start planning for the 2001 display.