WHEN it comes to keeping the children entertained at Christmas, Christine and Raymond Beadle have a bigger job on their hands than most.

With a lot of youngsters expected at the family home this Christmas, it was going to take a marathon effort to light up the festive season.

But the fruits of their labours have been spectacular, with villagers taking their children to see the lights which adorn the house, in South Otterington, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

It took eight days and 5,000 bulbs to illuminate the home and garden with an array of Santas, reindeer, snowmen and other Christmas characters.

Three trees can be found inside the house, while the conservatory is decorated with lights and fibre-optic trees. Mr Beadle spent two-and-a-half hours arranging the decorations on the roof.

It is the seventh year in a row that the family has pushed the boat out for Christmas.

Mrs Beadle said: "We started off just wanting to make Christmas bright for the kids.