A COUPLE from Rushwick opened their Christmas-decorated garden to the public to raise money for the Midland Air Ambulance.

Mick and Norma Gale dress their garden and house at 66 Christine Avenue in Christmas lights and inflatables each year, and ask admiring visitors to donate to the rescue charity.

And this year, their Santa's Garden harvested the remarkable sum of £875, well up on the previous year's total of £570.

And this weekend, they visited the Midland Air Ambulance base at Strensham to hand over the money and meet the crews.

Mr Gale said: "The air ambulance does a really great job saving lives, but it doesn't get any government money, so they rely on donations from the public. We're really pleased to do something to help.

"It was great to visit Strensham, meet the crews and see the helicopter and all the lifesaving equipment."

To see Mr and Mrs Gale's creations, visit santasgarden.co.uk. Contributions can also be made there via justgiving,