A FUNDRAISING idea which remembers Tavistock?s loved ones has grown in popularity so much that it has lit up the whole of Bedford Square.
People gathered in Tavistock town centre on Friday night to see the Lions? Club Tree of Light, which has now extended to three trees, switched on, together with the rest of the town?s Christmas lights.
The tree of light first appeared five years ago with each bulb sponsored by a member of the local community in memory of a lost loved one.
Since then many more people have responded to the idea, which raises funds for Macmillan Nurses. And this year, due to demand, the town council gave permission for two more trees to be placed on the town hall.
More than £2,500 was donated to the charity in 2002 and the amount is expected to break that total from donations in 2003.
Organiser Roger Lethbridge said the tree of light, which was started by Lion member Glyn John before he moved to Wales, was not unique but he believed Exeter was the only other place in the West Country which had a similar fundraising project.
Christmas was a time when people?s thoughts always turned to family members and friends who had passed away and it was a lovely way of remembering someone, he said.
?Just this morning I got another five cheques, so we will have over 300 donations by the end of the month,? he said.
Tavistock mayor Norma Woodcock officially switched on the rest of the town?s Christmas lights on Friday night, which are supplied by the chamber of commerce. Musical entertainment was provided by the Stannary Brass Band.