A COMMUNITY group has 'rescued' Christmas in Oswaldtwistle by organising this year's lights switch-on.

The Civic Arts Centre, in Union Road, stepped in to help after the council withdrew some of its support for the annual festivities.

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An email from a council officer, seen by the Lancashire Telegraph, said that because area councils had been abolished and area manager Ann Roberts had left the council, the responsibility of entertainment at switch-ons in the borough fell onto the shoulders of local councillors.

The only council support on offer is the installation and switch-on of the lights and crib, the operation of a PA system, and a podium, the email said.

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe, who is also leader of the opposition at Hyndburn Council, said: "Scrooge is alive and well at Scaitcliffe House. Gail Knight and the Civic have stepped in to the rescue."

The switch-on will be held from 6pm on Wednesday, November 26, at Jubilee Gardens.

Gail said: "We will have children's choirs singing, we will be blessing the crib, we will have some carols the community can join in with, and some carols that a couple of schools will perform for us.

"Young people from the Civic will read poems and Christmas stories. I'm also hoping we will have East Lancashire Concert Band, or some members from the band performing too."

She added: "Last year we helped and it was planned with the area council. We helped provide the entertainment but this year the area councils were disbanded so we're just stepping in to help out at the last minute.

"The council is providing all the things it normally would have done such as the infrastructure. It's just that last year myself and the area council organised the entertainment together.

"We are doing it on really short notice but it's still achievable. People know it's going to happen. It's not like it will be a surprise."

The Civic Arts centre is an independent organisation found under the Civic Theatre. It is managed by Hyndburn Arts Trust and delivers drama, dance, plays, musical theatre, singing, and crafts for all ages, its website said.

For more information, call 01254 398319.