Thousands of Christmas lights shine bright at home on Hull's Greatfield estate

THE switching on of his lights has become a key milestone in the build-up to Christmas.

Now there is more to see at Gavin Thompson's house in east Hull's Greatfield estate than ever before.

Mr Thompson has added three arches supporting 1,800 flashing lights to his display. Children living nearby always look forward to his house lighting up.

"We get people asking in October and November when our lights are going up," said Mr Thompson, 55.

"We've got a big singing Santa and people bring their children across.

"The only bugbear is we're in a bit of a cul-de-sac. I wish we were on a major bus route."

He started putting lights up about 15 years ago. To begin with, most were homemade.

"I started with bits and bobs and then it just escalated," Mr Thompson said.

"I used to make them myself out of wooden boxes.

"As time went on I started to buy and I've got quite a big selection now."

He thinks the newest lights are unique.

They are trained up three arches bought from a garden centre.

"We made them ourselves and they're really good," Mr Thompson said.

"The rest I bought from shops all over Hull in the past ten years.

"I do travel around buying them."

But with a singing Santa, a giant snowman and countless other displays, Mr Thompson's house is now reaching saturation point.

"I've not had to buy many this year because I've got so many," he said.

"The wall is full, just about, so unless anything breaks I won't have to buy anything.

"We've got ten big lights on the wall, a massive train down the middle, a Santa and a snowman and the three arches."

The lights are powered from plug blocks in the shed, kitchen and even the living room.

"I have them on separate sockets – eight on one from the kitchen and eight on one from the shed," Mr Thompson said.

"I've drilled a hole in the back of the wall and put eight into the TV socket.

"I'm no electrician but I've had no problems."

Mr Thompson is a self-employed carpet fitter.

He put the lights up in his spare time over three weeks.

"I started putting them up about three weeks ago," he said.

"I normally do them in a week but I'm always panicking. I tried to do them on Saturdays and Sundays.

"The weather's not been too bad on the weekends. You couldn't do it at nighttime."

The only obstacle now is Mr Thompson's own van.

"I try to park opposite the house so I'm not in front of the lights," he said.

"I want people to be able to see them."