Moray schoolboy's Christmas wish comes true
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A MORAY schoolboy has been handed an early present after the Christmas Light he designed was finally lit up against the night sky.
Last year, Ethan Butchart won a competition at Aberlour Primary to design a new festive light for Aberlour High Street, with his striking moon and star design catching the eye of judges.
Ethan (12) was asked to help switch on last year's lights as part of the prize.
Anticipation, pride and excitement turned to distress, however, when the big Switch On took place and his light was the only one that didn't illuminate.
His parents tried to console him, explaining the issue could be with the lamp post.
But this year, despite being moved along the High Street, the festive illumination again failed to shine.
Ethan, who is now in S1 at Speyside High, said: "I felt sad, disappointed and frustrated last year when it didn't illuminate.
"This year I felt the same, but also a bit angry that it was happening all over again and that nobody seemed to be able to get it right, fix it or even care."
The family decided to act and, with the support of the community association, started contacting the authorities to see what could be done.
After being passed from pillar to post, trunk road operator BEAR Scotland sent out engineers and a fault in the fitting was rectified, spreading not just light on the village but also a little extra festive cheer.
Ethan described feeling happy, proud and illuminated as he looked at the light shining for the first time.
A spokesperson for BEAR Scotland said: "We always want people to enjoy the festive light displays across the trunk road network and were pleased that our team was able to help restore this particular design so that it operates as intended."
