THE Trees of Light on the front of Tavistock Town Hall were officially switched on last Thursday by Lions Club president Steve Grummitt.

Following the illumination, there was a short service led by the Rev Pam Stranks.

Steve said that he had had the honour of turning on the first tree back in 1999 — since then, nearly £71,000 had been raised for local charities by people sponsoring the lights in memory of departed loved ones.

This year, the nominated charities are the local branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Chestnut Appeal and the Tavistock Triangle & Chemotherapy Outreach Project.

Last year, three charities each received just over £2,100 each — the Lions are confident that these figures will be exceeded this year.