The village of Oakdale will be celebrating Christmas in style this year after a successful community appeal to pay for festive lights.
Funding for Christmas lights across towns and villages was pulled last year because of budget cuts at Caerphilly County Borough Council.
While some community and town councils managed to find the funds to trim-up, others were left with no alternative.
Oakdale was one such place without Christmas lights last year and the community has been fundraising to bring Christmas cheer back for 2016.
The Oakdale Community Benefit Fund, established when two wind turbines were built at Oakdale Business Park, have awarded the appeal nearly £2,400.
This money will be added to the £600 raised locally by the Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership from a fundraising concert and a donation from Oakdale Community Centre.
Festive lights will be installed on ten lamp posts around the central square and will include six brand-new LED displays. The lights will be in place ready to welcome Santa when he makes his annual visit at 8pm on Tuesday, December 6, courtesy of Pontllanfraith Rotary Club.
The Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership has been active in regeneration projects for the village and neighbouring Penmaen and Woodfieldside for over 12 years.
Chairperson Ray Bevan said: “We appreciate this grant from the Oakdale Community Benefit Fund, which complements their previous support for the hanging baskets we installed around the square in the summer.”
The Oakdale Community Benefit Fund is administered by Caerphilly County Borough Council on behalf of Resonance Asset Management, formerly Partnerships for Renewables, who operate two large scale wind turbines on Oakdale Business Park.