An elderly couple who have been creating dazzling Christmas displays at their home for the past 25 years will illuminate their neighbourhood again this December.
Husband and wife, Fred, 87, and Eileen Toon, 82, of Sextant Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, are making the final preparations for their display ahead of this year's switch-on on Sunday.
Fred said he puts all of the Christmas lights up himself each year.
"It keeps us occupied," he said.
"The house is so cluttered with all the Christmas decorations everywhere. But it takes around three weeks to a month to get it all ready and put out.
"People ask me every year to do it and it gives them pleasure."
The couple said they cannot go out nowadays without being asked if they will be putting up their Christmas lights.
Fred said: "We get stopped in the streets and local shops.
"There are old pensioners' bungalows near by and we do it for them because they love it.
"We have four grown up children, 11 grandchildren and we lost count at 15 on our great-grandchildren and they all come and see it.
"I'm 87, diabetic and had a heart attack when I was 69 but I still do it all myself. As long as my limbs keep going, I will.
"We've had a hell of a response. I've been told my lights are better than the ones in town."
Mrs Toon said that it gives them "pleasure" and saves them "sitting in front of the TV".
"We lost my sister at Christmas 25 years ago, so we put the lights up in memory of her. We know that she is with us, it's a lovely thing to do," she added.
This year they are getting help from the branch of Lloyds bank, in Uppingham Road.
The bank has supplied tea, cakes and advertisement for their launch event this weekend.
The lights will raise money Alzheimer's Society and Children in Need.
Manjila Jattan, the branch manager at Lloyds bank, Uppingham Road, said: "Because of Mr Toon's age and the effort he makes to make the local community special, we wanted to support him and raise some money for our charities.
"It's an absolute delight to be joining them to make it a big thing for them".
This years switch-on will be on Sunday, December 7, at 5pm.
Have you put up a dazzling display of lights at your house? Send your pictures to picturedesk@leicestermercury.co.uk or tweet us at @Leicester_Merc
