A TYNEDALE town will be illuminated for the festive season thanks to a £500 donation.

The annual Haltwhistle late night shopping event is a key fund-raiser for the town's Christmas lights, but after coronavirus restrictions put paid to the tradition the town's chamber of trade feared a year without the decorations.

Keen to support the community, a local businessman haspledged his support and matched the donation of the Northumberland Freemasons.

Businessman, Terry Christie, said: " The Freemasons of Northumberland donate funds from the lodge Almoners fund to donate to local Northumberland charities and causes.

"We knew the Haltwhistle Christmas light fund would be low on collections this year due to coronavirus so we thought we would help out."

Mr Christie, who owns the Manor House in the town, said the Christmas lights help boost the local economy.

Ellie Clark , of Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade, thanked Mr Christie and the Duke of Connaught Lodge for their donations.

"2020 has been very challenging for fundraising and due to very generous donations like this plus donations from the general public and Haltwhistle Town Council, we are very fortunate to be able to fund our lights this year," she said.