THE Christmas lights have been switched on in Dudley – or at least at two streets which refused to allow Covid to spoil the normal celebrations.

With civic events cancelled, the residents of Bird Street and Wood Road in Lower Gornal organised their own lighting up display, with a ‘commmunal’ Christmas tree, mulled wine and pressies for the children.

Having come together during the first lockdown, between 60 and 80 householders in the street, led by Dave and Sue Coyne, organised a switch off and then a switch on.

Internal and external lights were turned off and then ten minutes later the streets were awash with Christmas lighting.

“It’s been a really good community effort which has carried on since first lockdown,” said Stuart Atkiss, who supplied the pictures.