Ref. 28598-12NEARLY two months of hard work by neighbours in Park South has netted £3,500 for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals.

Trevor and Janet Gibbs, along with Paul and Lorraine Walters, Aubrey Brown and his partner Michelle Reid, started putting up their Christmas lights display the day after Hallowe'en.

Then in December they spent more than six hours each night manning a grotto, tombola and a stall outside their homes, whatever the weather.

"It was hard work, but it was worth it," said Trevor. "We had people from all over the place visiting. They even came from South Wales."

They decided to support the PDSA this year because it relies on public donations. Between them Trevor estimates the neighbours have spent around £2,500 each year on their displays.

"It is a lot of money, but we think it is worth it in the end," he said.

The families first got together to put on a show three years ago. Last year they managed to raise £3,000. "It is just getting bigger and better," he said.

Next year Janet and Trevor are planning to travel to Germany to buy lights.

"It is very difficult finding anything a bit different. We get a lot of our lights from America, but we want to give the Christmas markets a try," Trevor said.