Manchester has its Theatre of Dreams and Sunderland has its Stadium of Light, but a North Yorkshire village has outdone them both with its stunning "Theatre of Light".

The 200 residents of Towton, near Tadcaster, have been glowing with pride at this year's impressive Christmas illuminations, which were created with the expert help of villager Steve Mellen, aka Steve Melville, a theatre lighting and sound professional of 35 years experience.

As a new member of the village's Illumination Committee, Steve's expertise have helped to add a 3-D star, swinging bells, flickering candles and shooting stars to the 2,000 bulbs-worth of displays dotted around the village.

The £2,000 lights were paid for by sponsorship and fundraising by regulars at The Rockingham Arms, where landlord Geoff Wilson is committee secretary.

He said: "This year with Steve's help we have been able to go more upmarket. It really is a Theatre of Light this Christmas."

Special thanks also go to Andy Roberts, Mick Havron and Peter Jesty for all their efforts.