MORE and more trees are being lit up on Portland thanks to a festive campaign to make the isle sparkle this winter.

This year's Portland Christmas Sparkle, an annual project which aims to light up trees with Christmas lights and turn Portland into an 'island of lights', has received overwhelming support from the community.

After setting up a JustGiving page to fundraise for the Portland Christmas Sparkle project earlier this year, Cllr Rob Hughes was shocked by the incredible support. His target of £500 was smashed and the page has already raised more than £2,000, allowing the project to get bigger and cover more trees across Portland.

Now he and fellow local councillor Pete Roper have been busy using the donations to cover as many trees as possible.

Cllr Hughes said the support from local people and businesses proved just how much people need an uplift after the strangest of years.

He said: "We are putting up 200 sets of lights in total, more than we had hoped for. We are just waiting for the last 20 sets to arrive, which hopefully should be with us this week. So 180 already done, thanks to help from volunteers and the Rotary who have helped Pete and myself create the island of light. Really putting a little sparkle into everyone's lives, just when it was needed most.

"The JustGiving page that I set up has gone past £2,000. The community have been so supportive and generous, along with local businesses. On behalf of the council I say thank you to them all. Also the Court Leet have donated for the decorations to go on Victoria Square roundabout and something for Easton Gardens. It's all going to look fantastic when it's all done.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would raise so much. We have certainly achieved far more then we ever expected through this page that was created for the community to show their support for lighting the island. I'm honestly lost for words. Thanks again to you all for kind donations."

To donate to the fundraising campaign, head to www.justgiving.com and search for ‘light up Portland’.