BURY Council are searching for a real bright spark to help light up the town this Christmas.

It may be more than half a year away, but plans are already afoot for this year's festive season.

A joint initiative by Bury Council, Bury Chamber of Trade and Bury College aims to put together a festive light display - but so far the council have been unable to recruit a time-served electrician.

Huw Davies of Bury Employment Support training said: "There does seem to be shortage of electricians regionally and our problem is compounded by the fact that we are looking ideally for someone with training skills.

"Unless we can find the right person we may have to scrap the Christmas lights plan. However, we have not given up yet."

The part-time post, which is funded until the end of the year, might suit someone who has retired but would like to keep their hand in for three days a week.

Anyone interested should contact Huw Davies on 0161 253 6855.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.