PEOPLE on the Castle Mead estate in Trowbridge have gone to town by powering up a Christmas lights display with staggering 30,000 bulbs.

A group of householders hirsk Drive has clubbed together to install a huge show of lights and characters.

They took around three days to install the lights using 53 plugs.

Organiser Stewart Benford, of the Castle Mead Residents Group, said: “We’ve installed around 30,000 lights this year – that’s about 6,000 more than last year.

“The lights decorate five houses in our square as well as a nice display on the oak tree. We also have nine Christmas trees out there.

“It’s proving really popular again this year. People were asking us for weeks ahead if we were going to do it again and we’ve had lots of visitors.”

The display went live on November 26 and it will stay on every day between 4.30 and 8.30pm during the festive period.

Mr Benford added: “This year, we are hoping to raise as much money as we can to support the essential work of two charities - Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Mind. 

He hopes they will raise around £500 and says they are mindful that visitors may not be able to donate so much this year because finances are tight and energy price rises have rocketed.

“Thanks to the phenomenal support of our friends, neighbours and wider community we raised almost £900 for charity with our 2021 display.

“We understand that times are tough for everyone this year and the world seems full of gloom and uncertainty.

“We hope these lights will help brighten your day and if you can spare any money to help our two nominated charities, all donations will be so greatly appreciated.”

On December 17, the residents will stage a carol concert for the children and visitors.

In 2020, Mr Benford successfully applied to housebuilders Persimmon Homes, which built the Castle Mead estate, for a £1,000 grant from its community fund.

The grant, together with the £500 raised by residents, was donated to Trowbridge Royal British Legion.