Next year’s Melksham Christmas lights will not be affected by building works for the new campus, says Wiltshire Council.

The authority has spoken out to reassure the community they will go ahead as usual and that they have scheduled the works around the festive event.

Cllr Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for campuses, said: “The Melksham community is, rightly so, extremely proud of the town’s spectacular Christmas lights.

“As a member of the Melksham Area Board and a local councillor I know just how important they are to the area.

“They bring the local community together and are hugely popular and a huge boost for the town’s economy.

“I’d like to reassure everyone that they will be going ahead next year and that the development of the new multi-million campus will not affect this well established community event.”

The campus is expected to be ready by early 2017.