A TOWN councillor has gone up in the world to mark the official start of Christmas festivities in Richmond.

Coun Linda Curran nervously stepped onto a hydraulic platform to help decorate the roof of the market hall with Christmas lights.

"I kept trying to smile for the photograph and I hope it does not come across as a smile of terror," she said.

"The worst part was going up. It is not smooth and shakes backwards and forwards - but once it stopped it was not too bad."

The council is dreaming of a white Christmas this year, with 4,000 clear bulbs being installed across the town, instead of the usual multi-coloured variety.

The lights will be switched on at the Friary Gardens, on Friday, November 30, at 7pm.