Scrooge has been banished from Silsden this Christmas as the town prepares to welcome back its festive lights and a new market.

Residents were in uproar last year when a complication with electricity supplies on Kirkgate lamp-posts meant the town was plunged into festive darkness — with only three sets of lights meekly adorning buildings. Now Silsden town councillor Chris Atkinson has promised that the town will get all the lights it wants for Christmas this year. He said: “The problem was that the new lamp-posts on Kirkgate had no electricity sockets, so we couldn’t power the lights and some of the sockets on the old lamp-posts don’t work. But next week we are testing them all and a Bradford Council worker is coming out and fixing the ones that don’t work. He added that lights could still not be powered on the Christmas tree but hoped this problem would be resolved for next year.

“We are in great need of volunteers to put the lights up on November 21 and 22, anyone can put a bulb in and we would be grateful for any help we can get,” he said.

The town is also to host its first Christmas market, on Sunday, November 29, after last year’s apathy from business owners led organisers to cancel its annual Extravaganza.

The market and attractions will take place from 10am-4pm, in Briggate and the car parks at Bridge Street, the Punch Bowl pub and the King’s Arms. Cllr Atkinson — chairman of Silsden Gala Committee, which is organising the event — said: “There will be 24 stalls, a fairground, stilt walkers, Santa Claus paying a visit and Drystone radio providing entertainment for the crowd.

“Leaflets are going around to businesses this week to encourage them to open up and get involved.

“They have had a rough summer and this should inspire people to come into Silsden and visit their shops. Our aim is to get people out of their houses, on to the street and celebrating Christmas.

“We have a lovely little town here and we should be making the most of it,” he said.

To volunteer to help set up the Christmas lights or help on the market day, call Cllr Atkinson on 01535 655057 or log on to community website silsden.net and register your support.