NEIGHBOURS who put their Christmas lights to good use by raising money for charity have collected more than £1,000.

Sandra and Jim Newson, Gwen and Derek Thompson and Steve and Frances McNally of Lovel Avenue, Welling, raised £1,068.

During the festive season they invited admirers of their illuminations to make a donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children.

Mrs Newson said: "We are all delighted with the amount of money we have raised.

"We didn't expect people to be so generous, especially as this was the first time we used our Christmas lights display to raise money.

"We would like to thank everyone who donated and will definitely be raising money for charity again next year."

The money will go towards the redevelopment of a hospital building.