The staff and customers of the Kings Arms, Llandysul, have helped to raise a grand total of £2,340 towards the replacement of the town’s Christmas tree lights.

A well-supported fundraising event included an auction, ‘swine and dine', and music and singing by Marky T, Stormus and Velvet Soul.

Kings Arms landlord Robert Ramsaha-Southall said: “We chose to move full time to Llandysul a couple of years ago because of it's community spirit, especially with its summer carnival and Christmas Fair.

"Within a couple of months, we took over running the Kings Arms without any idea that within a further three months the whole town, along with most of Europe, would be locked down due to the pandemic. In total, our new business was closed for 303 days!

“We live and work on the high street, and the lights have been failing over the past few years, so when Marky T said he wouldn't mind putting on a charity event, the idea grew from there.

"We are all blown away with the huge warmth and generosity of customers, locals, artists and businesses.

"The generosity showed itself not only through the amount raised, but by the donation of high quality raffle prizes that were so good that we managed to raise an extra £1,000 in the auction.

"Over £590 was raised from our loyal customers, and the rest of the monies was raised through donations."

He added: "The whole celebration was opened with a touching tribute from Brain Teifi to Mac Macdonald and Jon Springer, two regular customers who had sadly passed away during the lockdown.

"Two poems were written and read by Dilwyn Morgan as part of the tribute, and their framed photographs, alongside that of our local resident poet adorn the corner of the bar."