INTERNATIONAL athlete Kate Allenby, of Tavistock, will switch on the town's festive lights for the last Christmas this Millennium.
After weeks of uncertainty, the town's chamber of commerce has finally received enough pledges for the lights to go up. The go ahead follows repeated appeals to businesses in Tavistock for £50 donations.
Ian Taylor, chamber chairman, said: 'It's good news. The money raised is nearly £6,000 from businesses and members of the public, ranging in sums from £10 to £250.'
Mr Taylor said the chamber was delighted a 'home-grown' talent like Kate Allenby, last year's world champion pentathlete, had agreed to perform the lighting up ceremony on Wednesday, December 1.
He said the chamber was also 'specially grateful' for a donation from West Devon Borough Council of £500 and of £200 from the town council.
The original estimate to mount the lights was £5,000 but Mr Taylor said costs had spiralled to £6,000 and until recently the chamber faced a £1,000 shortfall, forcing it to ask local councils for help.
'We are very pleased that there has been a good response in the end to the appeal from the 100 businesses that replied. Extra maintenance has been arranged to ensure the lights stay on for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve,' said Mr Taylor.
'We will be putting up all the lights owned by the chamber in Brook Street, Duke Street and West Street.
'In West Street these represent three coloured strands in the area of the Sweets building, as well as the lights outside Rollings Bakery and the back of the church.'
This year, the lights will be lit for two hours in the morning as well as in the afternoon and early evening.
Mr Taylor said the switching on ceremony was intended to be a 'fun, family night', attended by Father Christmas, the fire brigade's Blaze Bear and Rudolf from the Royal Mail.
Work to erect the lights begins during the week of November 15.