Billy's in need of a winter warmer

Those who are quick with the needles have been asked to create a winter warmer for Billy the Bulb.

The illumination mascot is due to appear at the town’s Christmas lights switch-on on November 23.

But his supporters fear he could be chilly at the late-afternoon event without a thick scarf.

One of them, seafront trader Darrell Hardy, said: “It would be good if knitters could knit a 12ins x 12ins square.

“These could then be stitched together to create a nice, warm scarf for Billy. Hopefully, it will be at least 30ft long.

“It could be really colourful like the scarf which used to be worn by Doctor Who.”

Darrell said the squares would need to be finished by mid-November to enable the finished scarf to be made in time.

Billy was made in the 1970s and he has frequently appeared at various community events across Bognor.

He made his first appearance for a while, and after a make-over, at the illuminations gala in August.

Darrell said: “He was really popular. You could hear people shouting for Billy. Even little kids wanted to see him. Their parents, who are now in their 30s and 40s, remember him from when they were young.”

The scarf squares should be handed in to Unique Promotions in The Arcade and Rose Green Post Office.