David Ruffley MP has today spoken of his delight ahead of Bury St Edmunds' Christmas Lights being switched on at 7pm this evening.

At the start of the year there were doubts over the future of the lights and the Town Council's then Chairman, Councillor Roy Bebbington, had pledged to sell the lights off.

It was not until David convened a meeting on January 18 of this year that the future of the lights looked more secure. On 26 February it was announced that the project would go ahead and a new committee, formed on David's insistence, comprising members of Bury St Edmunds Town Council, Suffolk County Council, Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce and Bury St Edmunds Town Centre, would be formed to run the scheme for Christmas 2008.

David said:

'I am delighted that the Christmas Lights will be switched on in Bury St Edmunds this evening. At the start of the year I was furious when I learnt that the town's lights could be sold off. However, following a meeting which I convened a new non-political committee was formed to organise the project.

'Under the capable leadership of the Town Centre Manager, Steve Peters, the project has gone from strength to strength. Not only are we having lights this year but they are likely to be better than ever - we have an improved scheme in the Buttermarket and Hatter Street, more lights on the Christmas Trees on the Traverse and Angel Hill and a fantastic new 'Welcome to Bury St Edmunds' sign shining down on the market square. In these difficult economic times it is fantastic to have some good news for traders in the town and this much improved display will be sure to bring in trade.

'I would like to offer my congratulations to Steve and to everyone involved in the project this year for making it such a success.'