This is how the clock tower could look when it’s all lit up for Christmas.

A starburst of sparkling lights will spread skywards from its face to create a colourful canopy for shoppers.

A curtain of illuminations will also line the clock and, for the third year in a row, a white Christmas tree will stand in the town centre crescent.

An artist’s impression of the spectacular LCD display has been drawn up by Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure (SEAL), the group responsible for the lights.

It said the decorations would be in place before the High Street Lantern Parade on Saturday, December 10.

The lights cost about £2,000 to install with contributions from traders and Swale council.

Brian Spoor, SEAL’s secretary, said it would be money well spent if the lights drew more shoppers into town.

He said: “The financial times we’re in now it’s important to have some sort of Christmas display in town.

“We were approached by the council to do it and we were more than happy to oblige.”

A date has yet to be set for the installation of Christmas lights along the Broadway and the High Street.

The original lights were stolen in February from a storage place behind Brittain and Hobbs, near Beach Street.