Northamptonshire village wakes up to find street signs decorated with Christmas lights by pub landlady

A pub landlady decided to take the Christmas lights in her village near Northampton to the next level by secretly decorating the street signs.

Miranda Clare wanted to spread some festive cheer after Harpole's lights switch-on was cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic and residents put their own decorations up early.

So the manager of Live and Let Live went around the village under the cover of darkness on Thursday, November 26, and put lights around 22 signs.

"The village has a lot planned through December, we have a festival of events throughout the month and we were always going to have a light switch-on," she explained.

"But in November, some families wanted to put their lights up early so Harpole already has streets of Christmas lights.

"So I thought if we're not doing that then why don't I light up every street you come in - I got 22 street lights and put them around the signs just to cheer everyone up a bit."

Miranda said the reaction was really positive with many people sharing their delight on a Harpole Facebook group.

"They loved it - we have got a closed Harpole page and people on there have been very excited about what's happened which is quite nice to read and see," she said.

The Live and Let Live landlady said she was pleased to reopen for eat-in customers this week after doing takeaways during the second lockdown.

Miranda said the Larkhall Lane pub has been busy all week with customers enjoying meals in their household bubbles, with only a few people asking if they can come in just for a drink.

The extra Christmas lights is just one example of how she has been working hard to keep residents' spirits up throughout the pandemic - and there are a couple more to come.

"This year is all about keeping my village motivated, we have done a lot more over the year and we still have one or two surprises up our sleeves for the next week or so," she said.