MAUREEN Lund reckons her decorations are so spectacular that even the police stop to have a look.

Mrs Lund, of Doric Road, New Brancepeth, near Durham, has been "going to town" at Christmas for as long as she can remember.

Among her decorations this year are a 5ft Santa at the front door, two 8ft Christmas trees, a fibre optic tree, and numerous lights, snowmen and reindeers.

Mrs Lund makes some of her own decorations, for inside and out, and the Christmas theme even extends to the toilet, which boasts a holly and ivy decorated toilet roll.

She said: "I love Christmas. People can't believe their eyes when they see the house.

"Ages before Christmas, the neighbours shout 'when are you putting the decorations up?'"