With the latest lockdown, many retailers in Congleton town centre have been forced to close.

Sales of stars to surround the town's Tree of Light have therefore been restricted.

Only Wow Portraits at Allens Newsagents in Bridge Street remain open and the Funeral directors are open and willing to help, but have restricted access.

So Rotary-Congleton has issued an appeal to buy a star and leave a message using its website.

The process is simple. On the website home page is a button for the Tree of Light.

Clicking the button opens a form, where address details and a message can be left.

Once the form is complete, the next page leads to Virgin Giving Money where payment of the £5 for the star can be made simply and securely.

For taxpayers, Rotary can collect an additional 20%, under the gift aid scheme.

Rotarians will transcribe the message, create a star and ensure that it is placed when the trees is lit for Christmas at the end of November.

Stars can be purchased from now until a date to be announced in December.

All proceeds from sales of stars will go to local good causes.

In its first year, sales of stars raised nearly £700. Now that local people understand the tree, Congleton Rotary hopes to beat last year's figure.

The Rotary Club of Congleton sponsored by the William Dean Trust and supported by the Town Council are providing a living Christmas tree situated in the Lawton Street Community Garden by the cenotaph.

In December each year the tree will come alive when it is illuminated by fairy lights and surrounded by stars.