A WIDOW made to feel so welcome in the village she has called home for the last decade is to help turn on the Christmas tree lights.

Wheelchair-bound Dorothy Ashton, known as 'Dot', moved to Rossett from Warrington 10 years ago, to be closer to her daughter who lives nearby in Trevalyn.

Unfortunately, her husband Harry died a few months after their move, but the spirit of the Rossett community helped Dot to settle in and become one of the most popular villagers.

And this evening (Thursday) she is one of the invited special guests, chosen as regulars of the village's community cafe to help light up Rossett's Christmas tree for this year.

Dot's daughter, Christine Butcher, says her 79 year old mother has been made to feel so welcome by the community, that everyone waves when they pass her house and she is never short of offers for help.

She said: "She is absolutely thrilled to have been one of the special guests invited to switch the village's Christmas lights on.

"Like me she is originally from Warrington and moved here 10 years ago with my father.

"They moved in the June and he passed away in the December, but everyone was so helpful, popping in to see her and making sure she was alright.

"All the villagers have been so helpful over the years.

"She lives in an end bungalow and they all wave to her whenever they go past her house. She is never short of offers for help."

Christine added: "Unfortunately I can't be there as I have to work but hopefully my daughter will be able to take plenty of pictures.

"She's so excited and happy to have been asked to switch the Christmas tree lights on, it's such a nice thing that she's been asked."

Organised by the community council, the lighting of Rossett's Christmas tree takes place at Rossett Par this evening (Thursday) at 5pm.

It will also include festive entertainment, carols, refreshments and there will also be a raffle.