A SMALL army of volunteers have ensured that Ely’s famed Christmas lights are all ready for Friday’s big switch on event.

The City of Ely Council, which manages the lights, has faced a considerable number of problems with this year’s display, including being barred from hanging the lights from lampposts around the city.

The authority chose instead to hang them from buildings and shop windows have also been utilised to make the display as spectacular as ever.

A spokesman for the council said it was extremely grateful to all the volunteers who had helped out this year and added “the council is also grateful for the tremendous amount of time and help, American servicemen, and women from Mildenhall have given.”

Visit the council’s Christmas lights fundraising stall at Ely’s switch on evening on November 30.