A town which has been without its Christmas lights this year might finally be lit up after a last-minute appeal for help.

Ramsgate's lights have been permanently off this festive season due to an underground cable fault which the town council has been pushing to get fixed.

The lights came on briefly on two occasions - for the Christmas Fun Day and late night shopping - but only due to the authority paying for an expensive generator.

Cllr Karen Constantine stepped in and asked Kent County Council leader Roger Gough for help and he has now confirmed that UK Power Networks is on site and looking at the problem.

In a statement on its Facebook page, Ramsgate Town Council said: "UK Power Networks is currently in town with a raft of diggers and machinery trying to find the fault. Our fingers are crossed."

When the council's technicians put up the town centre Christmas lights in early November it was identified that there was an underground cable fault and no electricity supply to the lights.

"We immediately reported this problem to Kent County Council and have continued to chase up on this repair every week," the council said.

"Despite KCC’s best efforts they have been unable to find the fault and the matter was reported to UK Power Networks."

The council says paying for a generator is an expensive way of doing things and not something it could replicate every day.

Cllr Constantine says the lights are important not only to local residents, but also to traders, who are relying on Christmas business from visitors to the town.

"It's part of our tourism offer," she said.

"It just so very sad and disappointing that Ramsgate has ended up in this situation. I can’t imagine this has happened anywhere else in Kent."

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: "We are today working quickly and safely to complete the repair of a faulty streetlight connection at High Street, Ramsgate required to power the town’s Christmas lights in this area.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The harbour boat lights are not affected and are still attracting visitors to the town.