RESIDENTS around York and North Yorkshire have gotten into the Christmas spirit with houses around the region boasting thousands of festive lights.

Neil Puckering has illuminated his Stamford Bridge home with thousands of lights for more than 20 years, starting to entertain his oldest children when they were about five.

He said: "It started with a few decorations in the front garden, but they've grown and grown and grown. It normally takes me about two days to put them up. I have no idea how many bulbs but there must be thousands.

"It gets a very good reaction every year and I think local people look forward to them going up - they comment on them and slow down to drive by and look at them."

Mr Puckering has even taken on a friendly competition with his neighbour Sylvia Allison, whose house is also well decorated this year.

He said: "We both put them up each year, and this year she's gone out and bought a whole lot more and it looks really well. I help her put them up though, so it's a friendly competition."

Send pictures of your outdoor illuminations to photographers@thepress.co.uk