Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust has secured a share of an £80,000 funding pot from Argyll and Bute Council.

The festival is one of 11 events set to benefit from the latest round of grant awards from the council’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund.

The Trust spreads festive cheer by lighting the town up between November and January every year, and has been awarded £5,000 towards the cost of continuing its work.

The Argyll Food Festival, the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival, and Jura Music Festival are among those also set to receive a share of the funding, as well as Cowal Highland Gathering and Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival.

Argyll and Bute Council's leader, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “The events sector makes a significant contribution to Argyll and Bute’s economy and to local communities across the region.

"It also plays a key role in helping attract both national and international visitors to the area.

"The importance of events and festivals can be seen from the fact that, prior to the pandemic, the estimated economic impact to the area was around £7.5 million.

“The sector is continuing to rebuild following the pandemic and it’s great to see so many well-established and highly popular events taking place again in the coming year thanks to support from the fund.”