FORGET the “bah humbug”, Clacton is in for some Yuletide jolly ho ho!

After a Tendring councillor Andy Pemberton complained of a lack of a Christmas spirit in the town, councillors and businesses have come up with a package of festive fun.

Cash has also been found for 32 new solar-powered Christmas trees for the town centre.

And Mr Pemberton himself, gets to play Santa Claus!

The Clacton Town Partnership met with councillors and other groups to develop a Christmas programme.

The banner promotion “Christmas-on-Sea” will again provide businesses with a six week advertising campaign.

Music, entertainment and other Christmas-related activities will also start on Saturday December 3 at noon. A Christmas “surprise” is also planned.

Bucket collections will help fund the festivities, with the money ring-fenced for next year.

Tendring council portfolio holder for tourism and culture, Tanya Ferguson, said: “Christmas was always coming to Clacton, but things are looking so much brighter now.”

Her comments follow the Town Partnership also saying it lacks the money to stage sufficient celebrations.

“The Town partnership is an amazing group of people who work bloody hard for nothing. We are doing this together and we will be enjoying doing this together,” said Mrs Ferguson.

“Santa may still have some magic up his sleeve. So instead of Bah Humbug...we are well on the way to a jolly ho ho,” she added.

Graham Webb of the Town Partnership said his group had some money left over from this year’s activities to help fund Christmas.

They are providing 20 of the 32 trees and are hoping other businesses will boost their numbers further.

A Continental Market during October 26-29 should also raise extra cash.

“We are very, very pleased. The council have been very supportive this year. I have criticised them in the past but they have been excellent in the build-up to Christmas this year. We can only hope this Christmas will be bigger, bolder and brighter,” Mr Webb added.

Coun Pemberton, welcomed the co-operation of the various parties at Monday’s meeting.

“We are all looking forward to a wonderful Christmas,” he said.

The Bruff ward councillor said he has neighbours helping him build a trailer with a chimney which will be driven around Clacton with Santa throwing out sweets.

“I will be Santa. I will also be Santa at the Range (where I work) as well!” he added.