Twinklepike Way charity Christmas display ends after 22 years

Residents who have been putting up a display of Christmas lights to raise money for charity say they are "retiring" after more than 20 years.

Twinpike Way, in Wigginton, York, has been dubbed Twinklepike Way since neighbours began decorating the street.

But, after raising more than £100,000 for charity, residents said they were switching off the lights this year.

Alan Reed, 78, who lives on the street, said he and his neighbours agreed it was time for "a holiday instead".

People living on the cul-de-sac started putting up the lights in 2000 and in recent years hundreds of visitors have come to see the switch-on, Mr Reed said.

"We had an inkling last year was going to be our last," he said.

"It's partly old age, it's stopped up going up ladders to put the lights up."

But he said other factors, including rising energy bills, the closure of the local bank branch where residents would pay in donations to the charities and reaching the fundraising milestone, had also played a part in the decision.

"In the early days the electricity didn't really matter, because it didn't cost that much. Things have got a little more expensive, but it's not too bad," he said.

"The local bank has closed so now you have got to go into York, which is ridiculous when you have got bags of coins.

"We have been doing it for 20 years now. We decided we might have some holidays instead."

The decorations will be donated to charity, he added.

The event has supported St Leonard's Hospice, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and other charities over the past two decades.

After the group announced their retirement on social media, hundreds of people commented to thank the residents for their efforts.

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