Who needs to go to Blackpool? When it comes to festive illuminations, the residents of west Wiltshire are not averse to a bucket-load of glitz and sparkle.

Several homes in Longford Road, Melksham are spectacularly illuminated. The street, dubbed mini Blackpool, attracts hundreds of spectators who fill charity donation boxes.

It’s not just in Melksham that people have been getting in the festive spirit. The home of the late Mike Johnson, in Avondale Road, Trowbridge, was one of the first to start lighting up for Christmas and its displays over the past two decades have raised thousands of pounds for the Air Ambulance. This year the family has put up a small display in tribute to Mr Johnson, who died earlier this year.

Mr Johnson’s widow Pam said: “Mike started putting up lights for the grandchildren and over the years it built into a huge display, winning the Trowbridge Christmas house light competition. Christmas is Mike’s time so we have put together another display this year.”

Brian and Patricia Haslett, 70, have been adorning their house in Charles Street, Trowbridge with spectacular Christmas lights since they moved there 28 years ago. They start preparing in November and add more lights in the run-up till Christmas Day. They also used to hand out sweets to children who come and look at the lights.

Mrs Haslett said: “We get car loads here and we do it for the benefit of all the kids and pensioners and we will keep doing it because it gives pleasure to all the kids.”

Francis Holmes’ lights in Bradley Road featuring a polar bear and glittering penguins. Mr Holmes, 64, says he was the first in Bradley Road, Trowbridge to put Christmas lights outside in 1982, adding: “People tell me how much they enjoy it. It brightens up a dull winter and I hope it cheers people up.”

In Westbury, a giant Santa dominates the colourful display in Hawkeridge Park, while a garden in Hazel Grove is lit up with a Merry Christmas sign.

A series of houses in Studland Park are tastefully decorated with illuminated reindeers and strings of lights, while at St Andrews Road in Warminster, one house has its frontage stacked with Christmas trees, Santas and Christmas messages.

* Go to www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk for more Christmas light pictures