Whitstable's festive lights are ready to shine just in time for Christmas after they arrived in the town from China.

Business leaders are hoping to put the lights up today with volunteers working on shop roofs to light up the town before Christmas.

The lights arrived in Whitstable after the town's Chamber of Commerce president Brian Hitcham asked for their immediate release from customs.

Illuminations include angels and trees funded by a £15,000 donation from the city council.

The decision to import the lights from China has drawn some criticism as delays sparked fears the town's could be left in the dark this Christmas.

But Mr Hitcham says he struck the best deal for the town by ordering them from the Far East.

He said: "It's great to see so many people have turned up to help us and were working hard throughout the town."

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