A Fenland village will be lit up this Christmas – thanks to its Women s Institute. The group is buying a Christmas tree for the village and is getting set for it to arrive in two weeks. Sarah Clutton, of Manea WI, said: We felt the village needed somethi

A Fenland village will be lit up this Christmas - thanks to its Women's Institute.

The group is buying a Christmas tree for the village and is getting set for it to arrive in two weeks.

Sarah Clutton, of Manea WI, said: "We felt the village needed something to brighten it up at Christmas because it was a bit dull."

It is the first money to be spent on a community project by the WI since the group was launched in January this year

Money was raised for the tree at Manea gala, held in July, with a stall during the day and an auction as part of the disco in the evening.

The tree, to be planted on a parcel of open space in Station Road opposite the Primary School, is expected to arrive in the next two weeks, with the switch-on taking place on December 11 at 6pm.

Lights will be supplied by Manea Parish Council which has secured permission from developer Hazelmere Homes, which owns the open space, to plant the tree.

Irene Cook, parish council clerk, said: "It will be good to see a tree on the green area opposite the school and that open space is ideal for it."

The village used to have a Christmas tree in a garden on Pump Corner, the junction of Station Road and High Street, an initiative which was stopped two years ago because of vandalism to the lights.

Manea WI has 35 members, aged from late 20s to early 80s, and meets once a month in the church rooms.