Residents in Essex won't believe their eyes when Christmas decorations begin to adorn their streets more than two months before the big day.
Colchester's lights and decorations go up only days from now.
In Maldon, the town is already festooned with decorations and work is well under way to make sure that Chelmsford gets into the festive spirit in October too.
Next week, Braintree's decorations go up and it wins the prize for an early switch-on.
Its lights will be officially turned on on November 4 before Guy Fawkes' Night.
But Clacton, Frinton and Walton might feel neglected they only get the year-round seaside illuminations and no extras from the council for this time of year, although traders are likely to add their own festive touches nearer the big day.
Contractors moved in to decorate Maldon last Thursday with residents and traders shocked at the early decorations and lights across the High Street thought to be one of the first in the county.
Helen Vincent, town council clerk in Maldon, said: "It certainly is very early for the decorations to go up.
"It's because we have a new contractor handling it and he wanted a bit of extra time to suss it all out."
Published Thursday October 24, 2002
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