Truro's town crier, Lionel Knight has handed over £10,000 of his own money so that the Christmas lights in Boscawen Street can be given a make-over for this year.

In recognition of his generous donation, Truro Business Improvement District (BID), which installs and maintains the city's festive lights, will be naming the Boscawen Street display 'Lionel's Lights' in his honour.

Each year, elements of the scheme are refreshed and renewed, however following the BID’s successful renewal in October, the budget has decreased by 20 per cent annually because the contributions corelate to premises business rates – many of which saw a reduction in the updated financial budget of last April.

Truro born and bred Lionel wanted to ‘give something back’ to the city that he loves. “I am very proud of my city, and I wanted to do something meaningful to help it grow and prosper," he said.

“Being the town crier for Truro, I walk the streets and talk to the public every week, I volunteer my time to welcome people to this great little city.

"I talk to a lot of locals about Truro and how it can be improved and thrive for our community, particularly at Christmas. I want to see that continue by helping to refresh the lights and continue to see a bright and fresh feel going forward.”

Lionel is a well-known face around the city, often welcoming visitors at the coach park each Thursday, officially opening new stores and more recently leading the St Piran’s Day parade and in January was out in the rain, sleet and wind leading the City of Lights Parade.

Alun Jones, Truro BID manager, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by Lionel’s incredibly generous personal donation to Truro’s Christmas lights. His generosity will see the introduction of some new lighting motifs installed this Christmas which the community and visitors alike will be able to admire and enjoy for many years.

“In our opinion Lionel is one of Truro’s gems. He volunteers his time to the city for sheer pleasure and pride in the town, he is a huge asset and a great ambassador and we thank him for his generosity.”

Lionel will be switching on the city’s Christmas lights, including ‘Lionel’s Lights’, on November 21.