YORK's Christmas lights can be switched on tomorrow - after the firm in charge stumped up £6,000 at the 11th hour.

The Make York Sparkle Appeal was short of its £57,000 target and there were fears the event may not go ahead, as reported in the Evening Press on Tuesday.

Now Lumalite, which has put up the city's illuminations since 1999, has made the donation - and York Conservation Trust has also come up with £1,000.

Members of the Christmas lights committee have worked long and hard to get the necessary funds.

But a big Christmas lights switch-on could not be organised at the last minute because of the financial problems.

Managing director of Lumalite, Stephen Jackson, said: "York is one of the prettiest cities we work on.

"We felt it would have a very negative impact on the work of the steering group if the whole scheme was not put up as planned.

"So we are happy to step in on this occasion and help make York sparkle".

Organisers praised the Evening Press for our campaign to Make York Sparkle and all those who made donations to the fund.

Lumalite's contribution is added to City of York Council's £12,000, with Nestl making a generous donation of £30,000.

Goodramgate Traders' Association has already added £1,000 to the £5,000 donated by CPP and £1,000 from Colliergate traders in support of York Business Pride's Make York Sparkle.

York-based bus company First has also contributed £2,000. In the countdown to Christmas a host of events are planned, including a new Children's Fair tomorrow and this weekend in and around Parliament Street.

It will include a toy market, carol singing and other family entertainment.

All stallholders will be donating a gift for Father Christmas to deliver to children at York Hospital on Christmas Day.

Len Davies of City of York Council said: "If it weren't for Lumalite, we would have had to reduce the

number of lights in the city this Christmas, which would have been very disappointing for everyone.

"We're grateful to them for their kindness and to the generosity of all the contributors to the lights this Christmas and especially to the Evening Press whose campaign has made it possible for us to achieve our final target."

Meanwhile, a new rainbow mosaic in memory of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle has been unveiled at the Coppergate centre.

The 19-year-old's mother Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, of Pocklington, officially opened the "Caroline's Rainbow" artwork which has been carved into the pavement. She also switched on the shopping centre's Christmas lights, which are red this year.

Marjorie, who started Caroline's Rainbow Foundation to help young backpackers abroad, said she was "delighted" with the tribute.

She said: "It's a beautiful mosaic. The Coppergate Centre has been a huge support."

Updated: 09:47 Thursday, November 17, 2005