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The Christmas displays spreading cheer for charity

Carroll Weston/BBC A red brick house illuminated with hundreds of different coloured lights. There are inflatable displays including a snowman and polar bears in the front garden. Carroll Weston/BBC
The Christmas display on Vienne Close in Duston took a week to put up

Ho-ho-homeowners across a town have decked out their houses with Christmas displays, to spread festive cheer and raise money for charity.

Mel Phipps has filled her front garden in Duston, Northampton, with more than 50 light displays, which include a 7ft (2.1m) snowman, Santa Claus in a sleigh and illuminated trees.

"I can stand out here and watch it all night long. You don't need a telly when you've got this," she said.

Meanwhile, Aaron McIntyre, a long-time resident of Blackthorn, has "gone all out this year" creating a 20,000-light display with a singing Santa, a 16.5ft (5m) Grinch and an 18ft (5.5m) tree. He said it was about "bringing the community together".

Ms Phipps' display on Vienne Close began years ago with a single tree and it has since "escalated", she said.

It takes a week to assemble, with her husband taking time off work to help build it.

Visitors are asked for donations to the local air ambulance, with last year's total raising more than £1,200.

Ms Phipps said: "Most people think it's amazing. The kids [see it] and don't want to go home.

"It's lovely to see they enjoy it so much and it gives me such a lot of pleasure to see them smile."

Carroll Weston/BBC A wooden fence surrounded in multi-coloured Christmas lights. Behind it is a black metal arch decked out in more lights, baubles and Christmas tree material. A Santa stands outside the front door. Carroll Weston/BBC
Aaron McIntyre built a Christmas themed arch in front of his house, surrounded by other lights and figurines

Mr McIntyre's "all out" display has so far raised £500 for the local primary school.

He said: "It's about bringing the community together. Our switch-on drew visitors from as far as Milton Keynes and Rugby. It just gets that spirit of Christmas going."

'Big team effort'

Elsewhere, Mark Frost of Dulce Road in Duston has transformed his home with a 20ft (6m) snowman, various inflatables, a knitted nativity scene and fairy lights covering the roof and front garden.

The display, which took four days to install with the help of friends, is raising funds for breast cancer charities in memory of Mark's mother and mother-in-law, both of whom died from the disease.

Next year, the display will support a cystic fibrosis charity.

"The Christmas community here is massive... our neighbours love it," said Mr Frost.

"There are loads of houses doing this for charities. It's a team effort."

Ollie Conopo/BBC Kerri Frost in a black coat with her hands on Mark's shoulders. He is wearing glasses and a black hoodie. They both stand in front of a front door that is lit up with lots of different coloured lights. Ollie Conopo/BBC
Mark and Kerri Frost are raising money for breast cancer charities this year

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