This Is Cheshire

Dazzling success

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 28th Nov 2002.

CHRISTMAS-CRAZY Phil Tranter is hoping to coin in a mountain of cash for charity with his lights show.

The 27-year-old from Rode Heath has decorated his house with several hundred lights over the festive period for the last two years.

However those shows will be small fry compared with the display planned for this Christmas.

Phil aims to cover the outside of his home in Heath Avenue with 4,500 lights, which are due to be switched on this Sunday.

The show is due to feature a seven-metre high Merry Christmas display and possibly a Santa on the chimney.

The lights will go on between 4pm and 11pm and 7am and 8am, and are being staged to raise money for charity.

One of Phil's relatives was cared for in the Douglas MacMillan Hospice, which has opened a shop in Alsager.

Phil read about the opening in the Congleton Guardian, and decided to use the lights show to support the hospice.

His colleagues at Air Products are paying £1 to guess the exact number of lights, and people calling round to see the show will be invited to leave a donation.

"When I was living with my parents I always wanted a snowman on the roof, and everyone's a child at heart," said Phil.

"Hopefully people will come round to see the lights, and we will raise as much money as possible."

Phil is hoping to install a Santa-shaped collection box where people can leave their donations for the hospice.

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