WORCESTER'S streets will be decorated with a "sea of lights" this Christmas, if Classic Gold radio station boss Muff Murfin has his way.

Mr Murfin is spearheading a campaign with Worcester City Centre Forum to turn around years of poor festive displays, which have been described in the past as basic and lacklustre.

In 2003, businesses contributed just £500 to the lights fund. Last year saw a much-improved £6,600 contribution.

But this year the bar has been raised higher with plans to decorate other streets as well as the High Street.

Mr Murfin said: "We want to raise £15,000. We have had a good response so far.

"We are trying to raise money from everyone - businesses and the public - to improve the lights in Worcester.

"Everybody has criticised the lights and complained about them so we decided to do something about them."

He said this year's lights would be a "dramatic improvement" on last year.

Yesterday, he and city centre manger Georgia Smith spoke to more than 70 shoppers in the High Street to find out what they wanted.

She said: "Everybody said as long as they are better than last year they didn't mind."

She added that of the two designs shown to shoppers, one called Swag With Frosted Drop proved to be the favourite.

Among the big name retailers that have contributed to the fund are Marks & Spencers and Boots.

Martin Woodhouse, manager of Marks & Spencers, said: "We believe Christmas is about all pulling together with the common theme of giving customers the best experience they can hope for."

The lights are due to be put up over a week in early November. They are scheduled to be switched on by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck, on Thursday, November 17.