Two months ago, when most people were only just beginning to think about the dreaded Christmas shopping, one family in Wandle Valley had already spent more than £800 on Christmas decorations.

The Wilsons, who have eight children, and have both given up work to care for two of their disabled children, have spent this astonishing amount on festive decorations for the front of the house, living room, kitchen and even the downstairs toilet. They have spent this amount over the last seven years, every year, per year, bringing the total spent on lighting up their home to £5,600.

A Wendy house transformed into a mini grotto, a train moving round one of the three Christmas trees, 30 Father Christmases, and even a mini Ricky Martin which sings Here Comes Santa, are just some of the seasonal wonders to be found in this larger than life grotto in Linton Road.

But this year, the couple have decided to charge a 50p entrance fee to raise money for Queen Mary's Hospital in St Helier, where one of their daughters is regularly admitted. Micheala, seven, who is a twin, has suffered from epilepsy since she was four and must visit the hospital up to five or six times a year.

Steve Wilson, who spends six weeks putting up the decorations, said: "I am on the lookout all year for new Christmas gadgets. One of my favourites is Santa on a scooter.

"Usually the neighbours come in and look for free but this year we decided it would be nice to raise some money for charity."

His wife Patricia said: "We are trying to get our daughter's boyfriend to be Father Christmas inside the Wendy house."

So far, the couple have seen 40 visitors to their home but hope more people come before they take down the decorations at the beginning of January.

December 19, 2001 12:00