Family's 'fantastic' festive display lights up Willenhall street

The lights display of the Parker family's home in Stretton Road, New Invention, is a much anticipated event.

In fact the family has received so many inquiries about when the display is going up that they found it easier to keep people informed via Facebook.

The switch-on finally came on Sunday - and the Parkers did not disappoint.

There were snow men, reindeer and penguins among an assortment of Yuletide characters.

Pride of place this year has gone to a lifesize Santa figure which sings Christmas songs when anyone comes up the driveway. Unsuspecting visitors approaching the front door can be seen to visibly jump when Santa bursts in to song, says mother-of-four Kerry, aged 29.

She said: "The display is a little bit more elaborate this year but we do it for the kids, it's all about creating the magic of Christmas for them - although we have to lock the front door because they keep wanting to go out and have a look at them."

Children Carrie-Anne, aged 11, eight-year-old Connie-Rose, Layla, aged five and two-year-old Reggie are thrilled with their parents' handiwork, with special gratitude to dad Dave, a 32-year-old welder, who did most of the legwork.

And they are not the only ones who think so. A passer-by tipped off the Express & Star about the house. "It's fantastic," she said. "A really spectacular sight."

Kerry said: "It's lovely that other people appreciate the way we've decorated the house. It's a lot of hard work. Neighbours and friends have been asking for weeks when we're going to put them up, so I kept them informed on Facebook.

"Christmas is an exciting time and although it costs a bit to put on the lights, they're only on for a few hours each night. We're very family-orientated and we think it's worth it."