Farnborough residents feared for their festive cheer last week after thieves stole a cherry picker used to install the village Christmas lights.

Electrician and former Farnborough resident Jamie Johnson, who travels around the country fitting Christmas lights, was in Scotland when thieves drove away with his cherry picker.

Farnborough Village Society Chairwoman Sue Ellis sent out a plea for help via Facebook after she feared Sunday’s Christmas light switch-on would not go ahead as planned.

Contracts manager at construction firm Eurovia, John Hatton came to her aid and sent two of his employees complete with a truck to help install the lights on Friday.

Ms Ellis said: “The switch-on wouldn’t have happened without their help. I just want to say a massive thank you to them for coming on board to make the event happen.

“It was just a shame about the weather on Sunday.”