A STEEL Christmas tree to mark Ebbw Vale's long association with the steelmaking and coalmining industries has been given pride of place in the town's main street.

The tree's central pole will now remain in place outside the town's library in Bethcar Street all year round - as a celebration of the area's history.

Money for the £5,000 tree and other festive lights for the town was raised by the Ebbw Vale Golden Christmas Committee - set up after local people complained about the lack of Christmas decorations last year.

Since March, a massive £24,000 has been raised with a variety of events such as bingo evenings and concerts, and donations from local business people.

Cath James, community development worker with the Ebbw Vale Development Trust, said a lot of people had been unhappy about the poor show last Christmas.

"So we threw down the challenge to say, let's do something about this," she said.

A committee was set up, led by chairman John Robbins and including residents and traders, and now the town centre will be fully lit this year.

"I think everyone will be over the moon - this is a chance to show what we can do if we all get together," said Mrs James.

The tree's lights will be switched on by Roy Noble, after a day-long programme of special events, at 7pm on Saturday, November 30.

A plaque underneath the tree, in tribute to the area's steelworkers and miners, will be unveiled at 6.30pm by Blaenau Gwent mayor David Wilkshire and some of the oldest former steelworkers and ex-miners still living in the town.

* In the picture: Organiser Kath James, chairman John Robbins and secretary Rhiannon Morgan toast their Christmas lights success.