A south Wales town which has been without Christmas lights for the last seven years was illuminated with hundreds of coloured bulbs on Saturday.

Because of lack of funds, Ebbw Vale has been left in the dark over the festive season in previous years.

The town hasn't had proper lights for years and every year people were complaining about it Cath James, trust worker

But a year-long fundraising campaign by the Ebbw Vale Development Trust has meant that the town centre will at last enjoy an illuminated display.

When the lights are taken down after Christmas, a special steel pole will be left as a memorial to the steel and mining communities in the town's history.

The campaign to decorate the town was launched after a series of complaints about the lack of lights.

Cath James, who works for the trust, said: "The town hasn't had proper lights for years and every year people were complaining about it.

"So, we decided that we would offer our support to light up the streets.

"People have been very generous and we have been able to buy hundreds of lights," she said.

Numerous fundraising events were organised by the trust to pay to pay for the cost of the lights.

"We offered people the chance to buy a bulb for a pound, and there was a regular bingo game," said Ms James.

Father Christmas

A full day of entertainment was held in Ebbw Vale to mark the switch-on.

A funfair was put on first thing in the morning, and circus entertainers performed during the afternoon.

The pole will remain after the Christmas lights have been taken down in January Cath James, trust worker

People were able to enter a karaoke competition and Father Christmas made a gust appearance.

BBC Radio Wales' Roy Noble switched on the lights at 1900 GMT.

"The first lights to be switched on were the ones on a special steel pole," said Ms James.

"We have put it there as a memorial to the steel and mining communities which have been linked to the town's history.

"It will remain there after the Christmas lights have been taken down in January.

"A special plaque, which has been embedded into the base of the pole, will be unveiled by a senior retired miner and steel worker as part of the switching on ceremony", she said.