Douglas councillors have praised staff at the capital’s local authority for ‘pulling out all the stops’ this Christmas.

At a time when a number of Councils throughout the UK have either downgraded or cancelled their festive lighting due to challenging financial circumstances, Douglas Council has helped ensure the festive season has been illuminating.

Despite the electrical team operating at a reduced level in recent months due to recruitment difficulties, decorative lighting in the centre of Douglas and the outskirts of the city has drawn wide acclaim.

At their monthly meeting, Council Leader Claire Wells led praise for officers and staff for their efforts.

‘To bring everything together really does require a lot of planning and we rely on the goodwill of staff to work early mornings and late evenings, in some cases from 5am during all weathers to make it happen.

‘Christmas is a special time of year with people coming from all over the Island to see the lights and experience the Douglas atmosphere. As a Council, we all feel it’s important to do our part, provide that festive touch and help add some Christmas cheer. It’s great too that so many people continue to turn out and support our retailers.’

Her sentiments were echoed by a number of colleagues, including Councillor Ian Clague who said the ‘workforce had done the city proud’ and Councillor John Skinner who said they had gone ‘above and beyond in wet and miserable conditions’.