The Jewish symbol of light, a Menorah, illuminated Gants Hill as it took pride of place on the roundabout this week.

Designed by engineer Alan Grant, who is a member of the Jewish community, the eight-pronged candelabra has replaced one that was used for the past 20 years.

Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin joined Mr Grant as the Menorah, which has eight lights on it, was put up on Tuesday.

Mr Sufrin said: “We are living in a time of so much negativity and darkness and we are having, and have had our own struggles, such as rioting, and teenagers using drugs. The light is a symbol of good over this.”

Jewish people light the Menorah for Chanukah, and Mr Sufrin said: “It starts with one light, and is added to every day, until all eight are lit, which is a symbol of increasing goodness.

“Chanukah is a time for thinking of others and being selfless. As a family, we volunteer by helping those less fortunate on Christmas Day and make sure they have something to eat,” he added.

Rabbi Sufrin, who is the director of Chabad Lubavitch, a Jewish community centre in Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill, told the historic story of the event which took place more than 2,500 years ago when a Syrian king ordered Jewish people to worship Greek gods, and a small group of Jews called Maccabees rebelled.

After a three year war their temple had been destroyed.

After the temple was rebuilt, they dedicated it to God, and lit a lamp.

Despite having only a small amount of oil, it was enough to last eight days.