A CAMPAIGN to have Christmas lights hanging in Taunton town centre has received a £10,000 boost.

If traders can put up £10,000, Taunton Deane Council has agreed to stump up the same amount.

The match-funding pledge comes a fortnight after the authority said it didn’t have any money for festive lights in the county town this year.

And when Taunton Town Centre Company said it was also unable to fund any lights, Cllr Kelly Durdan approached businesses for donations.

Her efforts led to a re-think at the Deane House after council leader Cllr John Williams was impressed by her efforts.

He said: “We’ll match-fund whatever is raised up to a maximum of £10,000 because there’s now been a clear demonstration of self-help and we felt this would be a just reward.

“I applaud Kelly Durdan’s initiative and we have to encourage that sort of self help.

“I welcome the contributions from everybody.”

Cllr Durdan said: “It’s really nice that Taunton Deane Council has recognised how the community has come together and is willing to support my campaign.”