A SUMMER garden party has raised �200 for Portishead’s Christmas lights.

Mary-Anne Iles and her husband Greg invited friends to join them for refreshments in their Slade Road garden to support the town’s festive illuminations.

A raffle raised the cash which was then handed over to the lights committee.

Lights spokesman Denis O’Neil said: “It’s events like this that really boost the Portishead Christmas lights fund and we thank Mr and Mrs Iles for their support.”

Lights organisers are currently appealing to residents to donate unwanted clothes and textiles to help raise money for the lights display. Whether its unwanted clothes, bedding (not quilts), curtains, shoes or handbags, the lights committee wants it.

Volunteers will collect it from your door. It will then be weighed by Bristol Textile Recyclers who will pay the cause 40p per kilo and as a bonus the items will them be redistributed to those in need.

Volunteer Dennis O’Neil said: “Recycled in this way, people’s cast-offs become someone else’s Christmas presents and on top of that, we get a donation to keep our lights shining.

“It’s a double whammy and doesn’t really cost anyone anything.”

Members of the community are urged to find any unwanted textiles in the next week and call Dennis on 01275 843646 to arrange collection.