Five years of darkened Christmas shopping in a Surrey town could come to end this December – all thanks to HoldtheFrontPage.

On Monday, we reported how Newsquest weekly the Epsom Guardian was calling on local businesses, residents and the council to support its campaign.

The affluent south-east town has been without Christmas lights for half a decade and the Guardian is determined to raise at least £20,000 to end the December darkness.

Now, after reading the story on HoldtheFrontPage, Lancashire-based firm MK Illumination is offering the town a discount to erect the lights – all in the name of festive cheer.

Sales manager Neil Williams said: “I think it’s terrible that Epsom has not had Christmas lights for five years.

“It’s not really normal for a town to be without lights for five years but it’s becoming more common that councils are struggling to raise the money.”

Guardian assistant editor Matthew Knowles said: “It’s very good news to see that has been picked up across the country and people care about Epsom’s lights.

“We’ve had a positive response and it seems to whole town is behind us.

“Let’s hope that Epsom council and MK Illuminations can come to some sort of agreement.”