CHRISTMAS is looming ever closer, but for one Droitwich couple the festive season started in October.

That was when Jennifer and David Pagett began to put up their Christmas decorations.

And while for some people it may have seemed excessively early, it has taken that long to complete a fairytale scene - and fulfil a lifetime ambition.

"Dave and I have wanted to do this for years," said grandmother of one Jennifer, of Crofters Way, on the Westlands estate.

"Every year we fill the inside of the house with decorations, but we have never managed to do anything with the outside.

"Dave works nights and he always struggled to find the time. But this year we decided if we started in October we could pace ourselves and we would be able to put everything up by the middle of November, which we have."

More than £700 and thousands of light bulbs later the makeover is complete.

There is more than 90ft of rope lights, half a dozen Father Christmases, snowmen, reindeer and even a man in the moon.

And with all the lights on a timer, passers-by cannot fail to notice the display - which attracts people from far and wide.

"People stop outside the house for ages sometimes, just looking at it," added Jennifer.

"Some of them tell us they have been told about the display and travel for miles to have a look. Children especially enjoy it.

"This is the main reason we did - to put some festive cheer into people's hearts.

"And who knows - maybe next year's will be even bigger and better. We will have to start in August then!"