An update has been given on this year's Helston Christmas lights display - and it's the news that everyone has been waiting for.

Helston Christmas Lights Committee confirmed that, following yesterday's announcement that Cornwall would be in Tier 1 from next Wednesday, the town will be getting Christmas lights "very soon."

They saved the revelation for today, on what would normally have been Helston's switch on night - always the last Friday of November.

Rob Williams, chairman of lights committee, said: "My team of loyal volunteers would have spent the last five weeks erecting lights and displays around town during evenings and weekends, and tonight the streets would be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people in great festive spirit, all eagerly awaiting 7.30pm when the lights get switched on and the fireworks get let off.

"But this year is very different - there aren't any lights up and we wouldn't be allowed to have a switch on event even if they were.

"But don't despair, this is the news you've all be waiting for - there will be Christmas lights in Helston very soon!"

Earlier in the month the committee said it was then looking "highly unlikely" that a display would be possible, due to the introduction of a second lockdown making it impossible for volunteers to get together and put up the lights.

However, Mr Williams said today: "We've been following Government guidelines very closely over the last month and have held back from breaking any Covid rules regarding gatherings of different households during lockdown, as we aren't contractors who are paid to put lights up.

"Now that we are going to Tier 1 next week we will start erecting lights soon after the lockdown ends. Our display this year will be very much scaled down from what we normally put up but I'm sure that everyone will welcome seeing some colour in our streets.

"We will concentrate on putting up the coloured bulbs that zig-zag down through the streets. Any other displays that we can get up will be a bonus!"

He stressed that everyone should be very aware the virus was still around and that all volunteers must still maintain social distancing.

He also thanked everyone who had offered to help put up the lights, but politely asked that people give the regular team space to put them up as usual, to keep everyone distanced and safe.

Mr Williams added: "Thank you for your patience. We're only going to be one week later than normal switching the lights on, so in the scheme of things that's not too bad!"

In the meantime people are encouraged to share photos and videos of past switch-ons and fireworks on the Helston Christmas Lights Facebook page.