YOU could switch on the Christmas lights in Taunton this year.

Kelly Durdan, of the Make Taunton Sparkle group, which is organising the lights and switch-on event, is offering ten children aged between four and 14 the chance to help press the plunger on November 23.

All they need to do to enter the draw is get their parents to send in their name, age, telephone number and email address along with a £1 donation to the Christmas lights fund.

Details and donations can be sent or handed to reception in envelopes marked as follows: Kelly Durdan, Make Taunton Sparkle, c/o Deane House, Belvedere Rd, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1HE. Cheques can be made payable to Make Taunton Sparkle. 

The draw will be made on November 12 and entrants need to be free on November 23.

For full details, email kelly@maketauntonsparkle.co.uk

As reported last month, businesses in Taunton are being asked to help raise £25,000 towards the lights before October.

Kelly Durdan, who has rescued the county town’s festive season for the past two years, is working with Tracy Kearley, of uandi design and Sally Jones, to Make Taunton Sparkle again.

Kelly is calling on traders to respond to her appeal to pay towards Christmas lights in the town centre to enable a crowd-drawing switch-on day to go ahead.

Anyone with fundraising ideas can call 07789-871856.