Families across Nottinghamshire have been sharing the touching stories behind some of the most spectacular Christmas displays across the county. For almost 20 years, the Swift family, who live in Laurel Crescent in Nuthall, have been decorating their house and their garden, raising thousands of pounds for separate charities.
They have been raising money for the When You Wish Upon A Star charity, which grants wishes to ill children, and Hayward House, Nottingham City Hospital's palliative care unit. The latter is close to their hearts with Tony Swift having previously explained his late father-in-law, John Sheeran, spent time there. Mr Sheeran was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died at the age of 63 in 2003.
Each year thousands of people visit the winter wonderland, which was opened in November and will be open until January 1. Speaking ahead of the opening date, Mr Swift said: "Santa nights could get up to 1,500 people. We say the more the merrier, if there is a Santa night, which is a Friday and Saturday night, then there will be queues but we'll have the shop open with donations for cakes, drinks, hot chocolate."
