MEMBERS of the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust (HFLCT) received an early Christmas present last week with a donation of more than £400 from a local supermarket.

Staff at Waitrose handed over a cheque for £423.90 to the volunteers behind the town's Christmas lights display and the money will help cover the cost of this year's spectacular switching-on show which took place on Saturday, November 23.

Organisers had expressed their disappointment following the event when it was revealed that less than £300 in donations had been collected on the day from a crowd of over 3,000 people.

READ MORE: Festive lights group 'shocked' as less than £300 donated at switch-on event

However, spirits have now been lifted with news of the latest contribution.

After attending the presentation, Vivien Dance from the HFLCT said: "Waitrose partners are terrific supporters of community projects and the elves are extremely grateful that the popular local store thought of them at this busy time of year and donated a significant cheque.

"Ho, ho, ho - Santa will have been kind to all of the staff this week, the elves are sure of this."

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