MALVERN Rotary Club's Tree of Light has this week been officially switched on.

The tree, in Priory Park, is illuminated each year to provide a way for families and friends to remember loved ones and to raise funds for worthy causes.

This year, Rotary is supporting St Richard’s Hospice and Acorns Children Trust.

The event included music and carols led by the Chase Band, and the switch-on was performed by the Consul General for India, Dr Aman Puri, who later that evening gave a talk to the Rotary Club about India's relationship with the UK and the

Over its 16 years, the Tree of Light appeal has raised more than £140,000, and many charities have benefited from the annual distributions.

Following the switch-on, the lights will be lit every evening until shortly after New Year.

A list of donors and lives remembered, updated regularly, together with the names of the business sponsors will be displayed on a screen in the central foyer of Malvern Theatres, and on Rotary’s website.

A full list will also be published in the Malvern Gazette in the run-up to Christmas.