Faversham’s Christmas lights display could be switched off for good if funding isn’t found.

The committee, made up entirely of volunteers, has made a desperate appeal for support as Swale Borough Council withdrew its grant for the centrepiece Christmas tree after more than 10 years.

The chairman Steve Sherlock has said that this year will be safe, but the future is looking bleak if they do not recruit more volunteers or receive any more financial support.

They suffered a setback last year when someone drove straight into the main tree, leaving the committee with a hefty repair bill, and in 2014 vandals ripped down some of the lights, adding an extra £50 to their costs.

A fundraising event organised for earlier this year had to be cancelled because of a lack of people signing up, and the committee said the cancellation would cause a “great reduction in our funds” and a “knock-on effect to this year’s display”.

Mr Sherlock told the Faversham News that the committee had tried to gain charitable status but the Charity Commission had turned its application down.

But the committee is persevering with the bid as success would mean it would not have to pay VAT, one of its biggest costs.

He added: “Our donations, both from the traders and the public are down this year, and I fully realise that everyone’s budgets and disposable income are stretched at this moment in time.

“We are very lucky to still receive a grant from the town council, but in these days of austerity I think we should consider this a privilege and not a right.

“The situation has left our funds restricted to say the least, and further fundraising seriously needs to be investigated, otherwise we could see ourselves like many other towns – without Christmas lights due to lack of funds.

“I hope this situation never arises, and I certainly will do all I can to prevent that dilemma, but I am not Father Christmas and I cannot magic funds out of thin air.”

The committee is looking into setting up a crowdfunding page in hope of donations, but it is also on the hunt for more volunteers as soon as possible.

A Swale Borough Council spokesman said: “Back in the early 90’s we used to provide Christmas trees and lights in each of the three main towns from operational budgets.

"For various reasons over the years (such as changes to road layouts and vandalism) this had reduced to just Faversham.

“Subsequently, due to supply issues we just paid an invoice rather than trying to supply a suitable tree.

“As we no longer directly support any of the borough’s lights committee’s it did not seem appropriate to continue just in Faversham from an operational budget.

“Councillors are still able to support Christmas Light Committee’s through our grants scheme, which is felt to be more appropriate than an operational budget.”

A fundraising page has now been set up. To donate, click here.

To find out more about how you can help, click here or contact Mr Sherlock on 01795 539067 or at s.sherlock792@btinternet.com