MEMBERS of the maritime community in Felixstowe are helping the town sparkle this Christmas – with a �1,000 donation towards the resort’s festive season lighting display.

The Felixstowe Freight Club has given the money to Felixstowe Lions, which organises the town centre display, as sponsorship for the Christmas tree on The Triangle in Hamilton Road.

Chairman of the freight club and director of Globex Freight Management, Shaun Rudduck said it was the fourth year running the club – which comprises people working in shipping, forwarding and transport at Felixstowe – had helped out.

He said the club was delighted to play a part in a project benefitting the whole community right in the heart of the town.

Volunteers from the Lions spend hundreds of hours each year maintaining and improving the lights and putting up the display, with traders contributing to the cost and the town council paying the electricity bill.

The lights will be switched on at 5pm on Saturday, December 1 after a day of celebrations and entertainment in the town.