ALMOST 300 people have given a big thumbs-up to a pilot scheme which could see decorative lights installed in trees throughout The Avenue, Minehead.

Trial lights have been put in a tree outside the Regal Theatre to give people a chance to see how they look.

Graham Sizer, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Trade, invited people to let him know what they thought and whether they would like to see more lights in trees lining The Avenue.

And the response was overwhelmingly positive with a huge majority welcoming the illuminations.

"There have been nearly 300 respondents from Minehead and three tourists from outside who have commented on the lights with only four saying they didn't want them.

"The chamber would like to thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say and we are hoping to have some more good news to share in the new year," Mr Sizer said.

He is hoping to secure funding for more lights from a pot of cash paid by developers to offset the impact of their projects.

The pot's purse-strings are held by West Somerset Council and Mr Sizer said the authority's initial response to the scheme had been positive.

He said he was hopeful funding to extend the scheme along The Avenue would be approved by district councillors in February subject to final permissions being secured.