PROPOSALS to “cheer everyone up” in Longtown this Christmas are in hand, says the council.

At this month’s online meeting of Arthuret Parish Council, councillors were briefed on plans to send out 100 hampers to vulnerable people - and for the town to have Christmas lights which will be at “least as good a last year” were considered.

At last month's meeting, councillors agreed to send out the hampers after the cancellation of this year’s Christmas party because of the coronavirus restrictions.

Karen Johnson, parish clerk, gave an update saying that 71 people had come forward for a hamper and that shopping had already started for it.

At a previous meeting it was said that if anyone wanted to be considered for a Christmas hamper they should put their names forward to the parish council.

She added: “With regard to the solar powered lights, we want at least as good a display as we did last year. We can go forward with the solar powered lights this year but in future years we will have to look at how we can afford them if we want to keep going.”

Council chair Sir James Graham Bart said: “It’s very important this year to have a really good display of lights to cheer everybody up.”