IT’S only just April – but one Colne Valley village is already planning its Christmas lights switch-on.

Slaithwaite residents met last night to organise this year’s illumination festival.

Organisers have a big act to follow after the 2011 switch-on, which included an appearance by TV stars the Hairy Bikers.

Celebrity chefs Si King and David Myers – who famously struggled to pronounce “Slaithwaite” while filming an episode of their BBC show in the village – recorded a special message for last November’s event.

The first planning meeting for this year’s switch-on took place at Slaithwaite Community Centre from 7pm last night.

Slaithwaite Christmas Lights Committee has also begun fundraising for 2012, with around £6,000 needed for the lights and the switch-on event.

Around 60 people gathered at the Monsoon Tandoori on Britannia Road last month for a fundraising curry night which brought in £257.

Committee chairman Ali Robson said: “We were absolutely delighted with the turnout.

“We have so much support from local traders, businesses, voluntary groups and individuals in the village – it’s fantastic!

“We want the Christmas Lights Festival to be a huge success again this year.

“Slaithwaite Christmas Lights Committee has organised the lights switch-on in the village for the last 12 years.

“In the last two years the event has grown into a lights festival with afternoon entertainment from local dance and singing groups and local schools, plus arts and crafts activities and live broadcasts from the event by Two Valleys Radio.

We are also looking for help with obtaining a better Christmas tree next year, this is very expensive for a voluntary committee to obtain and insure.

“The committee relies solely on volunteers to put up and take down the lights each year.”

Last year the committee managed to put up 10 lights along Carr Lane and Britannia Road in the centre of Slaithwaite.

This year organisers hope to raise enough in sponsorship to buy three new lights.

Anyone interested in helping the committee can visit www.slaithwaitecommunitycentre.btck.co.uk