Crowds of families gathered to witness the annual switch-on of the Christmas lights outside Derek and Theresa Brent's home.

The family house in Bideford Road, South Ruislip , always manages to spread festive cheer among neighbours, and it is Mr Brent's dedication to decorating that is admired by his growing family.

The 79-year-old still gets his ladders out each year to decorate his home with hundreds of lights to raise money for a good cause.

"He decorates the house at Halloween too and all the children around here love coming to have a look," said his daughter-in-law Rosie Hughes.

"He has raised more than £4,000 for charity through doing it every year and this year again he is raising funds for Cancer Research UK."

Mr Brent is also a dedicated scout leader, and made sure he fitted in the switch-on at 4pm with family and neighbours on Monday, December 1, before heading off to scouts that evening.

Mr Brent is not the only one lighting up his street, Seth Vafiadis decorated his Hayes home with thousands of coloured Christmas lights.

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