BROWNIES lent a hand when they helped turn on the Christmas lights at Coes flagship store in Ipswich.The dozen youngsters from the 31st Ipswich (St Augustine's) brownie pack – whose motto is LAH lend a hand – cheered as the dazzling festive display along Norwich Road flickered into life.

By Tina Heath

BROWNIES lent a hand when they helped turn on the Christmas lights at Coes flagship store in Ipswich.

The dozen youngsters from the 31st Ipswich (St Augustine's) brownie pack – whose motto is LAH lend a hand – cheered as the dazzling festive display along Norwich Road flickered into life.

Proud Brown Owl, Ann Boxall, said that the girls had been anxious to get involved ever since they saw an article on the event in The Evening Star last year.

"A little boy had switched them on and they all wrote to the store and asked if they could have a go next," she said.

"It's the beginning of Christmas for them."

Brownie Polly Wright, who wrote a second letter to the store, reminding them of the pack's request, was the youngster with her finger on the button at last night's event.

"It made me feel very happy," grinned the 11-year-old of St Augustine's Road, Ipswich.

Store director Michael Pike, said he had been inundated with requests from groups wanting to turn on the lights.

"This year has been booked up for 12 months," he said, adding: "It's always a pleasure to see the look on their faces."

Meanwhile, trading in the £1 million extension to the store could begin by June next year.

Mr Pike said that he expected the 9,000 sq ft extension adjoining the store to be completed by September 2001 but that trading would start in parts of the new space by next summer.

The three storey extension, which will see ladies' wear on sale for the first time.

Mr Pike said: "It is very exciting in this day and age to see an independent store thriving and growing."