No Cheeky Girls, no Chico - no switch-on Christmas lights switch-on at all for Bridlington

The Cheeky Girls and Chico have come to switch the Bridlington lights on in previous years.

New column lighting is already in place throughout the main shopping streets and competitions have been launched to urge businesses to make the area look its best.

The mayor, Cllr Colin Croft, said: “Instead, the lights will be turned on at the end of November in a low-key manner and shops will be encouraged to make a real effort to decorate their premises with this year’s Bridlington Retailers Christmas Window Competition.

“The town will look very festive with brand new tree lights being placed on the real trees on Chapel Street.

Eve Gascoigne switched the lights on last year.

“Cascading lights are the new addition to the Christmas tree on King Street, which is again a big tree - one so large it is being brought to the Yorkshire coast from Scotland.

“Unfortunately, the organisers were unable to find a mutually suitable date for the switch-on event but the town will look very nice indeed regardless.”

In previous years, chart stars Chico and The Cheeky Girls have performed at a switch-on. In 2016 Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE - the most seriously wounded British soldier to survive during the conflict in Afghanistan - was given the honour and last year local youngster Eve Gascoigne switched on the lights after completing her treatment for a brain tumour in America.

Bridlington Town Council this week launched its Christmas Window Display Competition. Forms are available from its office in Quay Road or can be downloaded from the council’s website.

A judging panel of the mayor, and representatives of Bridlington Lions, Rotary Club and Tourism Association, will pick the best.