CROSSGATES is shining for Christmas after a special effort by the village's community council.

The official switch on ceremony took place on Friday night, fulfilling the wishes of the organisation's late chairperson Liz Beattie.

After her death last year, the community council pushed to ensure that her vision came to fruition.

The problem was that the original lights had reached the end of their usefulness and were no longer deemed safe and had to be replaced.

Treasurer John Wylie said a total of £11,500 was raised through donations from a variety of benefactors.

"It is the first time ever in Crossgates that we have had street lights," he said. "We got money from the local quarry and The Masonic Lodge gave us money and the Crystal Bar gave us money and we had other donations too.

"It was a struggle to get it. If it had not been for Liz, we wouldn't have started.

"When we saw them go on, it was brilliant to see it all coming to fruition."

He added: “We are indebted to Collier Haulage and Quarriers for their very generous support and also Fife Council, Lodge St John 540 Crossgates, Mossgreen Service Station, the Coaledge Quizzers, the Crystal Bar, and Mr and Mrs Faulds, for their backing and making it all possible.”