FOR 25 years a man from Bere Alston has decorated the outside of his home with a vast array of Christmas decorations for the enjoyment of others — and to raise money for charity.

John Phillips, 60, a ward domestic assistant at Derriford Hospital, spent over two weeks lavishly decorating his house from dawn until dusk.

This year there are 13,000 Christmas lights plugged into 62 sockets and carefully placed around the outside of his home, which he shares with his wife Tracy, also a ward domestic assistant at the hospital.

The tradition started with one snowman when he lived in Plymstock and from there it snowballed: ‘From the snowman it then progressed to a set of lights and people were commenting on how nicely decorated the home was and how they enjoyed it. Now I have 13,000 Christmas lights. I try to alter the set up each year to challenge myself and my creative side.

‘It normally takes me about three weeks to set up the lights, from 8.15am to when the sun goes down, but this year it took me around two weeks because we had good weather. It does take me about four to five months planning though as I plan what I am going to do and put where. And if I don’t like it I take it all down and start again.’

John turns 61 on December 1, and each year he uses that date to officially switch on the lights.

‘I officially turn the lights on then as a little birthday present to myself.’

As well as for the enjoyment of others, John raises money for charity.

This year he will be donating any money raised to a department at Derriford Hospital.

‘My neighbours say they enjoy the decorations and I do this for their enjoyment — it’s nice for the families to come up and for them to take pictures with their children,’ said John, who moved to Bere Alston five years ago to live with Tracy.

‘It is hard work but I sometimes do this to raise money for charity — this year I am raising money for the baby ward at Derriford Hospital where my wife and I work as ward domestics.’

But this year, sadly, will be John’s last year of over-the-top Christmas decorations.

‘I have been doing it for 25 years and I am suffering with sore joints. I will still do “something” but nothing on this scale.’

So make sure you pop on down to see his Christmas wonderland house at 22 Pounds Park Road, Bere Alston, from this Saturday (December 1).

And as for the electricity bill, John said that with the introduction of LED lights and energy saving bulbs, it was hardly noticeable.