IT'S that time of year again. The time of year when the miserable, dark nights are suddenly brightened with the joy of Christmas lights, flashing Santas and neon snowmen.

While some of us make do with a few aged fairy lights and stringy tinsel, there are those who can't keep their love of all things festive to themselves.

One such Christmas fanatic is Glen Douthwaite of Aclet Close, Bishop Auckland, who continues to add more lights, flashing Christmas trees and colourful Santas to his burgeoning collection every year.

The outside of his house, he admits, looks like a scene from the film National Lampoon's Vacation, but it won't stopping him buying more lights.

"I can't wait every year to put them up, I love it," says Glen, 38. "It makes me feel great. It's definitely an addiction. I've spent a fortune over the years and my wife Lorna goes crackers every time I go out and come back with something else, but when they're up she loves it.

"I've spent about £250 this year. I do it mainly for the kids and for people to come and see them. A lot of people say it brightens the place up."

Bright is certainly a word to describe the display which includes a new grotto complete with flashing Santa on top. Inside is equally impressive with perhaps enough festive lights for a small town's display. "They get switched on at 4.30pm until about 10pm and we have the Christmas carols going as well," says Glen, who is unemployed.

"The electricity is a bit more than usual, but not much - anyway it's worth it."

This year, Glen hopes to raise money for Bishop Auckland General Hospital's children's ward by asking people to donate money to look at the lights. His seven-year-old son Nathan is a frequent visitor to the hospital with recurring stomach problems.

And he has a bit of advice for bah humbug types: "I think they're sad. They need to get into the spirit of it a bit."

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