A TRULY dazzling display of cheerful Christmas lights is greeting residents and visitors to Hatherleigh?s Moorview area this holiday time ? and this year, the lights are raising money for charity, as well as spreading the festive feel-good factor.
John Hill has been decorating the outside of his house for several years now ? but this Christmas he has gone one better, with a special customised display, engineered by son Robert.
Hours and hours of work by the family has gone into the magnficent display, which has gradually grown over the years.
John said many hundreds of lights are included in the illuminated sleigh, reindeer, snowmen, angel and other decorations which adorn the outside of number 28.
He said: ?We?ve been doing this for several years now. I used to be on Hatherleigh Council and I used to do the lights for the town. There were never any lights up here where I live, so I put a Christmas tree outside and it slowly went from there.
?It?s a nice show. We don?t believe in going over the top ? if you put too much in, it gets overpowering.?
John said Hatherleigh mayor Dennis Bater had even jokingly suggested a new name for Moorview ? Las Vegas!
John said: ?We started doing it for the children up here originally. We?ve got grandchildren now ourselves, and seeing the youngsters stop and watch it all, it just makes Christmas .?
And this year, he has put out a collection box in the front garden, in the hope that people cheered by the lights will give generously to charity.
All donations will be given to Devon Air Ambulance and the New Okehampton Hospital Appeal after Christmas.
John?s daughter Tracey Guest said: ?People have been turning round saying ?When are you going to get the lights up?? So many people and children ask about them, the kids just love it and everybody asks what?s going to be new each year.
?Because it?s right on the road, as they come into Moorview it?s the first thing they see. You can see the cars slowing down, there?s a lot of people who turn round and stare!?