The town will be lit up like a Christmas tree in hopes of spreading festive cheer later this month.

Sidmouth Town Council will be putting up its annual Christmas light display, making it bigger and better than ever before.

Due to Government restrictions there will not be a switch on event, as usual.

Instead the lights will be quietly turned on, once they are all up and ready after Tuesday, November 17.

The council has promised to pull out all the stops however, in a bid to cheer the town up during this difficult time.

People will of course only be able to view the lights in line with Government rules which will be in effect, for example, when carrying out essential shopping or exercise.

The chair of Sidmouth Town Council, Councillor Ian Barlow said: "This year, with so many challenges already during the year and a very different Christmas on the cards, it is so important to show that Sidmouth community spirit is alive and well."

The Sidmouth Christmas light display is funded and provided by Sidmouth Town Council with a donation from Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.

Individual shops provide their own displays in windows and on shop frontages.