Corringham has been lit up for the first Christmas in two years after the community came together and provided the town with festive illuminations.

The town centre is now shining bright this December as the new lights, which have been installed in St John's Way and Grover Walk, were officially switched on last Friday, December 1.

This comes after the Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads Community Forum, schools, traders, residents, Thurrock Council and local businesses came together to set up the lights in the town.

The Forum successfully won funding from the Community Environmental Development Fund, managed by Thurrock Council to purchase lights for the town.

That, along with contributions from the town’s traders, residents and schools, including Corringham Primary School, which held a series of Teddy Bears’ Picnics to raise funds, means the community forum now has a set of lights which can be used year-after-year.

Jenny Meads, Acting-Chairman of the Corringham, Fobbing & Homesteads Community Forum, said: “We are delighted that Corringham will once again be lit up this Christmas, and every Christmas for the foreseeable years ahead.

“This project has only been made possible thanks to the generosity of Thurrock Council, DP World, Thames Oilport, traders and residents who have all really got behind the Forum and its team of volunteers, backed by Councillor Roy Jones.

“This has been an exciting year for the Forum, which continues to work tirelessly for the community - not just on improving the area with Christmas lights and flower boxes, but also working with all on issues such as planning, policing and more. Anyone is welcome to join the Forum’s meetings, which take place at 7.30pm in Corringham Hall on the second Monday of each month.”

The illuminations were also sponsored by DP London Gateway and financial assistance was provided by Thames Oil Port.

Matt Abbott, Communications Manager, DP World London Gateway, said: “We’re extremely proud to have been able to work with the Forum and wider community in securing new lights for Corringham Town Centre, and very much hope the community comes out throughout December to enjoy the display.

“We’re working hard to continue to be an active member of this thriving community, through our ongoing work with Thurrock Council, residents and schools and we wish everyone in the area a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous, happy 2018.”