TILLY Merrell, the eight-year-old girl from Worcester who has hit national headlines for her eating disorder, has brought light to Warndon.

The youngster, who has not eaten a meal since she was one, last night switched on the Christmas lights that decorate two houses on Ambleside Drive.

Neighbours Alan Hemming and Roger Long have decorated their houses for the past 13 years.

"The houses are completely covered in lights from top to bottom," said Mr Hemming.

"It took four men a fortnight to put them up this year."

Tilly's family hopes to raise £10,000 to pay for three weeks of tests and potential treatment in California.

Tilly, of Borrowdale Drive, Warndon, suffers from a rare condition called Isolated Bulbar Palsy, a weakness in nerves controlling swallowing, which can cause food to enter her lungs. Instead of eating, she has a nutrient solution pumped directly into her stomach through a tube in her abdomen.

The lights are on every day from around 4.30pm to 11pm.