Almost £20,000 will be spent on installing hand-me-down Christmas lights for the first time.

Members of Minster-on-Sea Parish Council unanimously voted to approve the festive proposals which it’s hoped will drum up more support for traders.

The second-hand lights will be attached to lampposts along The Leas during the winter months.

They have been purchased from Sittingbourne for £600, with the rest of the costs going towards the installation.

KentOnline understands that despite this, the town won’t be getting new ones this year for their Christmas switch-on event.

Made up of a lightweight aluminium frame with LEDs, the lights are described as both lightweight and economical by Cllr John Nurden.

He said: “The majority are working perfectly, there’s just a couple of units we know are faulty and need fixing.”

“It was much cheaper to go for these and it’s useful to recycle,” he added.

“They could have gone to landfill otherwise.

“It’s good value for money for the residents and it gives life to the units which might have ended up elsewhere.”

The parish previously had a Christmas tree outside the library on Minster Road and another was put up every year in the Abbey Gatehouse.

The council looked into installing the lights on the High Street, but it would had been “logistically difficult” due to privately owned buildings and fewer lampposts.

A meeting was held last Tuesday (September 10) to discuss the installation, removal, storage, repairs and checking of the festive lights.

Elliott Jayes (chair), John Nurden, Jessica Newman, Peter MacDonald, Jill Stimson, Martin Hawkins, Ben Pointing, Tom Nundy and Steven Parker attended.

The idea was originally proposed by Cllr Nurden and seconded by Cllr Pointing.

Five quotes from electricians and Christmas light installation companies were reviewed.

Cllr Pointing said: “It will be the perfect location for residents to enjoy them.

“I hope it instils more of a community spirit in the area and maybe a bit of friendly rivalry between neighbours along The Leas to make for a nice wintertime attraction.

“With a couple of local pubs and eateries nearby, it could boost the local economy with families getting a bite to eat after a walk to look at the lights.

“This venture is hopefully the springboard to extending to other areas of Christmas lights in the parish during the next few years.”

Assistant manager Megan Peters, who works with landlady and cousin Nicola Smith at The Playa pub, says it will “definitely” help business during the festive period.

“This will bring more people and customers down here, I am really looking forward to it,” the mum-of-two said.

“On Christmas day we see the kids come down to ride their bikes.

“It can be quite dark and dingy, so having something nice to brighten things up is great.”

She explained that last year they had a tree and garlands inside, but this time they want to also add lights to the outside of the pub.

Megan added: “I’m a big Christmas person – my children who are four and eight love it too.

“Hopefully we can work together and make it a yearly thing. It’s a positive thing for the Island.”

The council opted to spend £17,230 with Gala Lights following a unanimous vote.

The money will go towards having power outlets fitted to the lampposts in a one-off up-front investment.

“We wanted to put something back into the community,” Cllr Nurden added.

“It’s making people proud to live and work in Minster. There’s so much doom and gloom on Facebook.

“Some homeowners along The Lees decorate their houses really well.

“Hopefully, this will encourage others to jump on the bandwagon and brighten up the parish.”

A leaflet is set to be posted to residents living along the road within the next week.

The parish council are now applying for a permit from KCC and will then appoint a contractor to repair and install the lights.

It is understood they will be on display for around six weeks, with a “festive evening” scheduled at the end of November.