CROSSGATES will not have the usual festive feel about it this year with the village's Christmas lights now unusable.

The Crossgates Community Council, through chair Maureen Cuthbertson and treasurer John Wylie, has made an appeal to Crossgates and Mossgreen residents and businesses, in the hope that money can be raised to restore the festive lighting for 2019.

Council chair, Maureen Cuthbertson, said: "Crossgates and Mossgreen Community Council has to report that with regret, there will be no Christmas street lights this year in the village, as the old lights belonging to the village are no longer safe and have had to be disposed of for health and safety reasons.

"There may be various retail outlets that have retained and stored their Christmas lights from previous years and it is anticipated they will continue to display these this year.

"The Community Garden will be lit and the usual Christmas tree erected, but there is no immediate funding available to finance the necessary electrification of the street lamps by Fife Council at a cost of £320 for each standard, giving a total cost for 20 lamps of £6,400.

"In addition you have to add the subsequent leasing each year of the Christmas lights at a further cost of around £1,800, resulting in a total cost of £8,200 in the initial year, with only the ongoing leasing costs in future years".

The community council hopes that things can be turned around for 2019.

Said John Wylie: "In order to “Light up the villages at Christmas” in 2019 we are seeking and applying for various grants and sources of funding but sadly it is too late to make any arrangements for 2018.

"To kick-start the funding for the new 2019 Christmas lighting, the Community Council are asking villagers to consider donating to this worthwhile appeal now, so that Crossgates and Mossgreen can once again be “lit with the spirit of Christmas” for future years."

Added Maureen: "Come on folks – let's get those lights back on!"

Donations can be sent to the treasurer – Crossgates and Mossgreen Community Council, John Wylie, 3 Manse Road, Crossgates, KY4 8DB; or chair Maureen Cuthbertson, Bucklyvie Cattery – Fordell, KY4 8EY.