RESIDENTS of White Hill Close in Ramsbury gave all the villagers a thrill on Monday night as they switched on their Christmas lights display.

The householders have been vying with each other over the last few years to produce bigger, better and brighter Christmas lights. Everyone in the village is invited to watch them being switched on and to make a donation to a local charity. Last year the Great Western Hospital in Swindon benefited, and this year donations will go to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.

The admiring visitors were greeted with a glass of wine and a mince pie, and the party atmosphere was not dampened by the rain.

Between 100 and 150 people came to see the display and a gratifyingly awe-inspired gasp was heard when the lights were switched on at 6.45pm.

Villager Georgie Brooks said: "It was a fantastic evening. Two tents had been erected, one for the Ramsbury Silver Band and one for drinks and food. And to top everything, there was also a firework display."

The display at White Hill Close can be seen every evening until January 6.