CINDEFORD’S new Christmas lights have arrived and will be going up next week.

Businessman Neill Ricketts, who runs advanced materials firm Versarien, bought at least £50,000 worth of lights from Gloucester City Council for use in the Forest town last month.

The lights were transferred to Cinderford by Partington engineering free of charge last thursday and are expected to be installed next weekend ready for the switch-on event on November 28.

Neill Rickett said: “We had the lights transferred to us last Thursday and they will be going up next weekend.

“I was disappointed with the poor coverage that was given to Cinderford last year when it was named as the town with the worst christmas lights in the country.

“Working with Councillor Mark Turner we negotiated a deal that’s good for all parties.

“The lights would have just been scrapped otherwise.

“I think they are six or seven years old, Gloucester decided to buy some more and we think we will have more than enough lights so some could be offered to other towns in the Forest if they need them.

“We’ve all been working hard to make sure this Christmas in an extra special one for the kids and residents in Cinderford.”

The lights will be displayed on the side of buildings through out the town but none will be hanging across any streets this year because there wasn’t enough time to acquire the adequate permit.