A FAMILY whose festive lights have raised hundreds of pounds for charity have been named as The Northern Echo’s Ho Ho Homes competition winners.

Nicola and Paul Hogg, of Cockfield, in County Durham, lit up their home with hundreds of bulbs to raise money for The Butterwick Hospice, which looked after Mr Hogg's father, Keith, and supported his mother, Ann.

It is the second year the couple have put on the festive display and this year they have raised more than £600 for the hospice.

Mrs Hogg, 40, said the display had become a lovely way for the couple’s children, Lucy, 14, Freddie, five, Tommy, three and Archie, three months, to remember their grandparents.

“Paul’s mum and dad always liked the lights so it’s something they used to do as a family and it’s carried on to remember them at Christmas time,” she said.

“We raised £400 last year and have £640 at the minute so we are really pleased about that.”

The family have won £250 in vouchers from competition sponsor, Redworth Furniture Centre, and received the cheque from the company’s manager, Angela Spanton and sales consultant, Louise Smith, at their Bishop Auckland store today (January 6).

Mrs Hogg added: “We are really pleased we have won the competition.

“We don’t ever win much really but we have been doing our house up for quite a long time so we don’t really get to buy furniture but there are a few things we would like.”