Merry Christmas To One And All! Merry Christmas!

you might think it is a bit early, but not so for the council in Milnrow, Lancs, Rochdale Council say the lights, will be used in seasonal celebrations for several faiths - starting with the Muslim festival of Eid on September 20, other holy days include the Hindu festival of Diwali in October, the Jewish holiday of Hannukah in December - and even the Wicca festival Yule celebrated by white witches and pagans on the winter solstice,

student Tom Whitaker, 19, said: "It's absolutely ludicrous, It's the height of summer and they're putting up Christmas lights, I couldn't believe it, the worker told me they had to all be put up in time for all the religious festivals coming up - but most of the lights refer to the Christian Christmas, besides it's still mid August and most people are thinking about holidaying on the beach - not throwing snowballs in the park, "You hear about Christmas coming earlier every year but this takes the biscuit."

locals were shocked to see the illuminations going up on Wednesday - 127 days before Christmas, workers in a cherry picker went round the town - as parts of Britain basked in a mini-heatwave with temperatures more than 30° C, and shock, horror, we have just returned from TESCO and not a Christmas card in sight!