It was the ultimate humiliation. For years, shoppers had grumbled about the poor Christmas lights in York. Last year Towton, a tiny village near Tadcaster which you can drive through in two minutes, was said to be out-shining the city centre with its own splendid display of Christmas illuminations.

The laser display last year in St Helen's Square ... before the lights failed

Then York tried to project computerised images on to the walls of prominent buildings. But the innovative project collapsed amid embarrassment when the lights were withdrawn because of technical difficulties.

Now York is to enjoy a dramatic change of fortunes - thanks to a magnificent combined effort from traders, led by York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, and City of York Council, led by Lord Mayor Councillor Derek Smallwood, with backing from the Evening Press.

All over the city, on streets and in squares, among the branches of trees and strung across the historic bars, thousands of light bulbs have been installed and will be switched on tomorrow night to create a magnificent display of colour and light.

Several streets, even in key shopping areas such as Coney Street, are mounting a proper display of lights for the first time.

The latest area to announce its biggest and best-ever display is the Swinegate quarter, where Little Stonegate, Back Swinegate, Swinegate and Grape Lane will be lit up by winter moons, stars and a sun, as well as 21 illuminated Christmas trees and white festoon lighting along the length of all the shop fronts.

"There is a great community spirit... Everyone has got involved with getting these lights in place," said Alison Stewart, property development manager for Oakgate Group plc, owners of the Swinegate development. "It's a very atmospheric display."

Centrepiece of York's display will be a Christmas tree in the heart of the city, at the fountain in the middle of Parliament Street, where the switch-on takes place tomorrow at 7.30pm.

The festive sparkle marks the fulfilment of a personal dream for Coun Smallwood, who pledged to ensure a good display when he became Lord Mayor earlier this year.

"Year after year, this beautiful city, that leant itself so well to a Dickensian display of lights, has failed so miserably," he said. "I felt that the people of York really deserved better and felt let down.

"I was determined to ensure that this year things would be different. I have had some wonderful support, not least the superb publicity given by the Evening Press. I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the children when the lights are switched on."

Chamber chief executive Roland Harris said traders had been determined to ensure York staged a good display when it wrote with a proposal to the council in January.

"Last year there was a feeling of disillusionment and a feeling that York was letting itself down. There was a strong desire to try to do something and a coming together of minds.

"We have been delighted by the impetus that the whole thing has been given by the Lord Mayor's adoption of the scheme. That has undoubtedly generated tremendous finances."

But he said there had also been many "unsung heroes" who had helped ensure the project was a success, not least people from behind the scenes at the council who had given technical advice and helped erect the lights.

While many businesses had given donations to the Lord Mayor's Christmas lights appeal, others had given support in kind. For example, Acorn Storage of York had offered to help store the lights and other equipment, while the Stakis Hotel had offered to let its premises be used to beam a festive message on the side of nearby Clifford's Tower.

The fund-raising to pay for the lights has been a three-pronged effort. Firstly, the Lord Mayor's own Christmas appeal has raised more than £20,500 through a series of donations, launched with £1,000 from the Evening Press.

Other donations included cheques from BAA McArthurGlen, owners of the new factory discount centre at Fulford, Thrall Europa, Monks Cross, the bus companies First York and Arriva, York and District Hospitality Association, Nestle Rowntree and Terry's Suchard. Now Marks & Spencer are topping up the appeal with another £1,000 donation.

Secondly, individual streets across the city centre have come up with some £20,000 in funding for their own illuminations schemes - with matching funding of around £20,000 from City of York Council.

Despite such a grand effort, Mr Harris is determined that York will not rest on its laurels in years to come, but will instead build on the momentum and create even better displays. "We hope this will be the start of improvements in the Christmas lighting for years to come."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.