Brian Hughes has covered the front of his home with lights for the past two years.

Now he has created a Christmas grotto in the back garden.

And the Laburnum Crescent house, in Trimdon Station, County Durham, has attracted so many comments from admiring neighbours that he decided to go one better this year and collect money for charity in the process.

Mr Hughes, a hospital porter, has spent every spare moment since July making wooden figures for his garden display.

His wife, Pat, said: "He's done all the back garden out so that people can come in and have a look around.

"We've got a little Santa's grotto for children to have a look in, we've got a nativity scene, reindeers and a sleigh with presents and little elves."

The display of lights took two weeks to fix up.

The couple will be collecting money for the Butterwick Children's Hospice in Stockton.

Mrs Hughes said: "We've known quite a few people who've needed the hospice and we felt it was a good cause, especially as we've got five grandchildren of our own."