A house in Bluetimbers Close, Bordon, was really switched on during Monday evening (December 7) - when more than 1,000 electric bulbs and 12 sets of outside Christmas lights turned the cul-de-sac into a magical festive sight to cheer up everyone who hates the dark, winter nights.
And it was all in the name of charity - and broadcast live by local radio station, The Eagle, which carried a running commentary of the "oohhs and aahhs" as the cul-de-sac became a blaze of colour.
Graham and Kim Powell won The Eagle's contest for
the best outside Christmas lights in the local area, using low voltage "green" lights to provide their spectacular festive show.
As the lights were ceremoniously plugged in, Graham explained: "We have been decorating the house for the past nine years and we start preparing from November 1."
He added: As a kid I always wanted Christmas lights that stood out from the crowd. Kim and I heard about the competition on the radio and we decided to enter."
Graham continued: "This year, the theme is blue and white lights. We have 'star' lights and rope-line lights of different sizes in the front of the house. We also have lights on the back of the house.
"I love Christmas - it is just that time of the year. Our's is a close-knit community and Kim and I think the lights all bring us closer together."
But Graham and Kim's light spectacular has an even deeper meaning. Kim works as a receptionist in the heart day surgery at Frimley Park Hospital and Graham works in the accounts department.
Their Christmas lights show has been put on this year to raise funds for the Frimley Park Hospital Heart2Heart Appeal, which needs a £1.5 million to provide specialist equipment for its £3.5 million Heart Attack Centre for patients in East Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire.
The centre will offer a 24-hour, seven days a week emergency primary angioplasty service - something desperately needed in the area - and when completed, will be one of only a few in the country offering this service.
From January 2010, the hospital will be running a 24-hour emergency angioplasty service for the area, using a temporary catheter laboratory, which will be replaced with a permanent one once the Heart Attack Centre is completed.
Graham and Kim have a charity bucket outside their house, to help raise funds for this vital service. He said: "We have had thousands of people who come down especially to see the lights over the years - especially the kids.
"I hope we can put on a good show this year as usual and raise loads of money for this extremely worthwhile cause."
The lights go on, live on Eagle Radio, in Blue Timbers Close, Bordon. House owners Kim and Graham Powell. 09842-1
Festive lights go on as couple are live on air
