EVESHAM Rotary Club has recorded its most successful Tree of Light campaign ever - and the money is still rolling in.

This year's campaign had seen kind-hearted Vale folk and businesses donate nearly £9,000 to the charity appeal, which was already £1,500 up on last year.

The tree, which this year is decorated with lights remembering around 900 people, was switched on by Evesham mayor, Mark Robinson, at Workman Bridge last Thursday.

During a speech at the switch-on event, the town's Rotary Club president, Jan Harris, said: "The Tree of Light seems to have caught the imagination of all of us in Evesham and the surrounding villages.

She added: "This ceremony now heralds the coming of Christmas for me and the tree gives us all the opportunity to remember our loved ones in a positive way and at the same time do something for charity."

The Revd Stephen Mullings, Methodist Minister for Evesham, made a short prayer asking people to think of those in need around the World and to remember loved ones.

He said he hoped that, as the tree lit up, people's lives would light up too.

Oliver Lister, the Rotary Club's junior vice-president, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the public's generosity this year, with many families giving £50 or more in memory of loved ones.

"One rather sad fact, but just as important, is how many sponsored bulbs are in memory of so many young people who have died over the past few years in Evesham.

"Most voucher forms were accompanied by letters giving deeply moving reasons for the remembrance. There is no doubt that the present antagonistic climate created by the September 11 atrocity has also helped all of us to put our own lives into perspective."

Money from this year's campaign will go to help the Vale Volunteer Centre, PAST (Parents of Addicts Support Team), Prince Henry's High School Language School, Leukaemia Research, The Noah's Ark Trust, County Air Ambulance, and St Richard's Hospice.

The tree of light display boards can be viewed in Evesham Library until January 6.