THE festive spirit is alive and well in Radcliffe after an anonymous benefactor donated more than £500 to make up a shortfall for the Christmas lights appeal.

Last month, the Radcliffe Carnival Committee launched a campaign to raise the £3,200 needed to install the lights – holding a bucket collection, tombola stall and a drive for online donations.

A Township Forum grant and contributors from traders, Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, Mayor of Bury Cllr Sharon Briggs and Bury South Labour Group meant by the beginning of this week only £514 remained to be found.

And on Monday a generous member of the public, who wishes to remain anonymous, made up the full shortfall.

Andrew Clarkson, Chairman of the Radcliffe Carnival Committee, said: “I would like to thank every single person who raised the money needed to put Christmas back into Radcliffe with the lights fundraiser – with a special thank you for the anonymous donation of £514 which meant we met the £3,200 Bury Council required.

“Everybody’s contribution is of value – no matter how large or now small – but this anonymous donation was a nice bit of Christmas cheer.

“The town really got behind the campaign and that was remarkable – it is an incredible thing to raise this much money in such a short period of time.”

The colourful decorations have been displayed in Radcliffe since earlier this month after negotiations with Bury Council lead to them being put up before the full amount was raised.

Next year the Carnival Committee will apply for grant funding to cover the cost of the lights’ installation, something the council does not pay for in any part of the borough.

Mr Clarkson added: “Residents’ generosity and the goodwill of the council, who erected the lights despite us initially falling short of the total, demonstrates what can be achieved if we all think positively.

“Now we are looking forward to what we hope will be a bigger and better parade and carnival on June 7 – so let’s hope for good weather!”