Spirit of Christmas illuminated by families

With inflatable Santas, glowing reindeer galloping across the lawn and a banner reading "Merry Christmas – this house believes!", one Black Country family is certainly keeping the festive spirit alive.

Since end of October, 40-year-old Stuart Bibb has been busy putting up the incredible display at his home in Wentworth Road, Bushbury.

His family then held a special Christmas lights switch-on with the neighbours at the end of last month.

Stuart's wife Sheila said today their efforts had grown over the years, partly for the benefit of their five children and partly for the residents of care home Wentworth Lodge, which is opposite.

"It takes a while to get them all up," said Sheila, 39.

"Stuart likes to get them up before it gets too cold, especially as he has to be on the roof.

"It's all him really – he's a big kid at heart – but we all love it. I think it's brilliant, it's a lot of fun.

"We started out doing it for the kids but when we realised the old folks over the road were enjoying them too we really increased what we did."

She estimated they have spent a total of £1,000 on Christmas lights alone, and hundreds more on other decorations including the tree, ceiling-hanging decorations, and tinsel, to name just a few.

Readers have been flooding the Express & Star with their Christmas displays. Among them is Richard Walker, 28, of Irvine Road, Bloxwich, who has decorated his home to raise money for the Mary Elliot Special School where one of his neices goes.

"I have been building up my Christmas collection for five years - I started putting it up in November," he said.

His wife Laura, 24, said they had spent around £600 on the decorations – and raised an estimated £2,000 for their cause.