A SEASIDE resort's Christmas lights display cost a staggering £22,000 in total - and it is thought this year's cost will be similar.Southwold Christmas Lights Committee revealed the total cost, including the stalls on switch-on night, after holding its AGM this week.

A SEASIDE resort's Christmas lights display cost a staggering £22,000 in total - and it is thought this year's cost will be similar.

Southwold Christmas Lights Committee revealed the total cost, including the stalls on switch-on night, after holding its AGM this week.

This year, fundraising events are set to get underway as early as next month to raise enough money to meet the figure again.

Newly appointed committee member Adele Buckley said: “The more people we can get to fundraising events, the better because that's a lot of money to raise and we've only got about 1,000 residents in Southwold.

“We're going to be holding one or two fundraising events a month and this year we want to get as many children involved as possible and have a procession like they do in Aldeburgh.”

The first fundraising event, a fashion show, is due to be held on April 5 and then there will be a string of other events throughout the year.

These will include car boot sales, an antiques fair, wine tasting, a horse racing night, a quiz night and many more.

Newly opened Casa Mia, Italian piano bar, also plans to hold a Midsummer Night extravaganza in the summer where £20 from each ticket sold will go toward the Christmas lights.

Sue Allen will continue in her role as chairman of the committee. The switch-on night is planned for Friday, November 30 and it is intended to continue with the festivities right through the weekend.

kate.scotter@eadt.co.uk