THE owner of a Helensburgh pub has boosted this year's Christmas lights display in the town with a generous £1,000 donation.

Business owner Euan Catterson, of The Ashton, and his customers handed over the cheque last week to help with funds for the upcoming event, which is run by the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust.

Each year the community organisation have to raise £8,500 to fund the installation, repair and remove the festive lights - and the latest donation has given them a much-needed boost.

The Christmas Light display have announced it will go ahead this yearThe Christmas Light display have announced it will go ahead this year (Image: Helensburgh Festive Lights Charitable Trust)

Euan said: "The Ashton was delighted to be able to support the town's Christmas lights. They do so much for the town in the five months that they light it up and the switch-on brings thousands of people into Helensburgh. It is all good news for local businesses.

"I understand that each year the festive lighting team have to raise a large amount to fund the installation as well as doing all the work involved.

"Businesses need to show their support for the volunteers. It is no good saying that you have donated in the past."

Trustees of the group accepted the cheque which can now help finalise plans for the installation of the lights, which is expected to begin at the end of October.

Trustees accepted the cheque from business owner Euan CattersonTrustees accepted the cheque from business owner Euan Catterson (Image: Helensburgh Festive Lights Charitable Trust) The switch-on is planned for Saturday, November 23.

A spokesperson from the group said: "We could not do this work without the support that we get from a few very generous local businesses, who donate in cash and kindness in many other ways to help the project succeed.  

"This £1,000 has given a great boost to our morale and maybe other businesses and organisations can follow Euan’s lead and help us to secure the final funds needed for this year."

Volunteers will be back in the market with their plant stall on Saturday, September 28 in the hope of a final few sales to increase the total of money raised towards the project.

The trust now has only £2,500 left to raise in the coming months.