A CHRISTMAS lights display turned out to be a dazzling fundraiser for a Burnham-on-Sea rescue charity.

The BARB Search and Rescue team received a £10,000 cheque from residents in Trinity Close after their annual Christmas lights display.

The five-week display attracted hundreds of visitors who generously donated money to the cause, raising a record total of £13,329.

The residents presented a cheque for £10,219 to BARB’s Mark Newman on March 28 and will be donating the remaining money to Petal: The Christine Woodberry Memorial Trust, which itself distributes money to deserving groups.

Mark Newman, chairman of BARB, said: “We are massively grateful to the Trinity Close residents for picking us as their chosen charity, and to all those visited the lights display at Christmas, raising this amazing sum.

“After fully considering how best to invest this donation, BARB’s committee decided the funding would go towards modernising our life-saving equipment, including items for our rescue boats and new specialist dry suits for our volunteer crew members.

“BARB is a small, local rescue charity that solely relies on donations to keep running so we are hugely grateful.”

BARB operates a rescue hovercraft and two inshore rescue boats in Burnham and has a team of 20 volunteers.

They assist the Coastguard, police and beach wardens with rescue operations throughout the year, with annual running costs of £30,000 per year, funded entirely using donations from the public.

The donation of £3,110 to the Christine Woodbury Memorial Trust will go towards providing support to people who are suffering from cancer and their families.

Paula Payne, a resident on Trinity Close said: “We are delighted that the lights raised a record amount and a big thank you goes to everyone who came along to see the display and for supporting our charities.

“The allocation of the funds was decided by the residents and we’re very pleased to see the money benefitting these local causes.”