HUNDREDS of lights of hope will shine out in Evesham this Christmas.

More than 1,400 bulbs will transform the town's tree of life giving hope to charities as Evesham Rotary set out to beat the £12,000 raised for last year.

People are again being given the chance to make a donation for a light in memory of a loved one who will not be around this Christmas.

John Luckhurst, president of Evesham Rotary Club, said about £3,000 would be raised through corporate sponsorship but the remainder would come from public donations: "We are asking people to donate from £5 although many give more. All we ask is that as many people as possible give as much as they can afford. These are deserving local charities and hopefully people will be generous."

The lights will bring a sparkle to the town after dark when they glow from the giant redwood tree on Workman Bridge which is nearly 100ft high.

Money raised as part of the appeal goes to local charities and those chosen this year are the St Richard's Hospice's new building project, Macmillan Cancer Relief, the Evesham based Children's Kayak Charitable Trust, the Citizens' Advice Bureau and Evesham Red Cross.

St Richard's Hospice is the chosen charity supported by the Evesham Journal.

The lights will be switched on by Andy Dyke, mayor of Evesham on Thursday, December 9 and the Celebration Reed and Brass Band will lead the entertainment. There will also be a carol concert.

Evesham will be illuminated by the tree throughout the Christmas and New Year Holiday and switch off on 12th Night which is January 6, 2005.

Donation forms will be printed in the Journal.