THE waiting is finally over and Skipton residents can look forward to Christmas safe in the knowledge that the town will be lit up to celebrate the festivities.

Skipton town councillors have agreed to find £6,500 to ensure that the town's lights are at least as bright as last year's.

The Herald reported last week that Fresh AM's Mark Reason challenged the council to increase its donation from £2,500 to £6,000.

He said he would canvass local businesses to try to raise an additional £14,000 to make the illuminations extra special.

The town council's contribution will cover the amount needed to refurbish last year's lights and any other money raised through the campaign will be a bonus.

At a full town council meeting last Thursday, Coun John Spencer said: "Unless more money is forthcoming, there is a chance there will be no lights at all or there will be so meagre there will be no point in putting them on."

Members discussed whether it would be feasible to ask Craven District Council to charge parking fees on medieval market days and donate that money to the lights.

"If we are going to wait for Craven District Council to come back with something Christmas will have been and gone. We have to make a decision now," said Coun Polly English.

Eventually councillors agreed to take the money out of reserves.

Members agreed to draw up a contract with Christmas Lights 2000 to put up the lights.

It was suggested the group be made up of members of the council, Mr Reason and representatives from local business. Matthew Tidswell and Jacqui Smeeton were contracted to install the lights as in previous years.

Fresh AM's campaign to raise more money for the lights is also well under way in Skipton.

A public meeting will be held on October 12 at 7.30pm in the Black Horse. It will give everyone a chance to have their say on what they want from the lights this year and in the future.

Mr Reason hopes a working party can be set up to organise the lights in the future.

Mobile phone shop Global Net on Belmont Bridge has launched its fundraising drive and is inviting visitors to pay £1 to guess the number of orange balls in the shop window. There will be prize for the most accurate guess.

Even dogs have an opportunity to raise money for the lights. Every time they have their nails clipped at Pets Paradise on Newmarket Street £2 is donated to the appeal.

Water Street School pupils are organising a fundraising quiz, and Skipton Bed and Suite Centre has given a £100 cash donation.

When all the events have been completed, Fresh AM is hoping to organise a world record attempt for the longest live broadcast for people to hand over their donations. From noon on October 23, Mr Reason will try to stay on air for 80 hours to collect all the money.