Amid soaring bills and an energy crisis, one man from Scotland will still be able to adorn his house with 40,000 Christmas lights.
For the past eight years, the decorations at the Woods family home in Prestonpans have been steadily growing. From a single set of string lights to an all-consuming display, it became a local landmark.
But then an energy crisis and soaring bills looked set to bring the festive display to an end.
Even though the majority of the lights are the more energy-efficient LEDs it would still have cost the family some £650 (more than double the cost of last year) to run the lights through the month of December.
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While the family can normally swallow the cost, this year they had to look for help to ensure the lights could go ahead.
Steve Woods, who begins setting out the lights in October, told Sky News: “It takes that long to set up that I had got myself to a point where I had to say, if I haven’t got any sponsorship by the end of October, I just can’t do it.”
Then local businessman Colin Dryburgh, who runs a family business repairing domestic appliances, stepped in to save the display on behalf of his young granddaughter – a regular visitor, who “loves the lights” – by sponsoring its energy costs.
Switched on by Santa in front of a large crowd, it also raises money for Mission Christmas.
“We wanted to give back to the community and make sure the display goes ahead for them,” Steve said.
Last year, the lights raised more than £1,700, but amid the cost of living crisis, Steve isn’t sure this year will be as successful.
But whatever is donated will go directly to the charity.
This year’s display – the biggest yet – is so big, Steve is sure it can be seen from the air.
“We aren’t far away from Edinburgh Airport and people always joke the planes are going to come and land on my house.”
