Helmsley in Business is asking people to give a helping hand towards making the town dazzle for the festive season

The group has been fundraising for Christmas lights for Helmsley since 2012, and has raised almost £10,000 through a combination of events and collection boxes.

Helmsley Town Council has donated £400, along with a generous donation from Motorcycle Action Group (MAG).

To help tip the fundraising over the £10,000 mark, the group has circulated envelopes to households, asking for any monetary contributions and the chance to enter into a prize draw to win a spa day for two at the Feversham Arms.

Envelopes can be handed in at Hunters of Helmsley, Thomas of Helmsley, Viva Hair and Helmsley Outdoors.

Jacky Pickering, chairman of Helmsley in Business, who runs The Stick Man with husband Keith, said: “Everyone loves Christmas lights and we want to give the town the display it deserves.

"It’s something Helmsley in Business members felt strongly about back in 2012 when we formed, and it’s still something which is very important to us now. We’ve raised almost £10,000 over the last five years, and every year we buy more lights.

"Our wonderful community is very generous with the collection boxes we have in businesses, but we thought it might make it even easier for people if we sent an envelope directly through their letterbox.

"We hope people feel they can donate, and we’re very grateful for anything they can spare. Hopefully next year Helmsley will rival Oxford Street for sparkle.”

Helmsley’s Christmas lights switch will this year take place on Saturday, December 2, at 5pm, and will be performed by TV celebrity Julian Norton, the Yorkshire Vet. This will tie in to a day of festive fun and the opening of Helmsley’s annual Christmas Tree Festival.

For details, go to visithelmsley.co.uk