PENCAITLAND has refused to let Covid-19 dampen its seasonal spirit, as the village's annual Christmas tree lights switch-on party moved online.

The live event, which is usually held in the village’s Trevelyan Hall, was forced to be cancelled this year by lockdown’s social distancing rules.

But Pencaitland Community Council teamed up with Pencaitland Community Choir's online sing-along as they asked residents to “warm up your singing voices, grab your jingle bells and pour yourself a mulled wine as you settle into a socially distanced sing-song from your own front room”.

The choir's event was streamed via Zoom on Sunday, and featured carol singing and a recording of the village’s Christmas tree lights being switched on.

And the community council has not lost out on the funds it usually collects from members of the public at the Christmas event, as an online fundraiser it set up has already raised nearly £800.

The funds will go towards the Pencaitland community support grant, which helps voluntary groups working in and around the village.

Ralph Averbuch, community council chairman, said: “The last couple of years we raised about £150 in gifts from people attending the Christmas party in Trevelyan Hall.

“This year, we decided to try doing a virtual version as we just couldn’t safely run the event in 2020.

“The thing that’s just blown me away has been the scale of the response to date.

“After being online for four days, we raised more than four times anything achieved in the past.

“I think this speaks volumes about how much people care about their communities and, in the times we’re going through right now, it will be a huge boost to all the volunteers out there who make our village tick.”

To donate to the community group fundraiser, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/PencaitlandXMAS

For more information about Pencaitland Community Choir and how to join, visit pencaitlandchoir.org.uk