VILLAGERS have come up with a bright idea for Christmas.

People living in five houses at Callow End's Bow Hill are brightening up the dark nights by decorating their homes with a feast of lights, Santas and festive decorations.

Wendy Whitehouse, who lives in one of the houses, said she started decorating the family home eight years ago.

Her collection of festive goodies built up to its current level after her daughter-in-law, who lives in America, started to send her some Christmas decorations.

The decorations, which now consist of more than 2,000 lights and take six weeks to put up, also include an old faithful - a fibreglass snowman she made five years ago.

"I love doing it for the children, who love to see them, and we do it as a birthday and Christmas treat for my grandson Ashley," said the 56-year-old.

"We turn them on on the 1st of December, which really gets us in the mood for Christmas, and it brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people.

"Because they're low wattage lights they cost no more than 20p a night."