Bad weather causes cancellation of big Christmas lights switch on in Offaly

Strong winds and rain forced the cancellation of the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Clara yesterday evening, Sunday December 10.

The event was scheduled to take place at 6pm and people had been asked to gather in the Square from 5.30pm. Live music, blessing of the crib and the arrival of Santa were all due to feature.

A post on Clara Lights Facebook page read, ''we sincerely apologise that under the advice of our Health and Safety Officer and Met Eireann we have to postpone the switch on.''

Met Eireann had issued a weather warning describing Sunday evening as ''very windy, with Storm Fergus bringing severe or damaging gusts.''

A new date is likely to be scheduled for the switch on.