NEXT door neighbours Gary Evans and Ken Bakker have really brightened up Christmas for residents in Horwich.

The pair, who live in Ormston Avenue, have been building up their collection of Christmas lights for years -- and now boast more than 1,000 bulbs between them.

This year, they decided to decorate both houses together and join up their lights for a really elaborate display.

The houses are joined at the top and bottom with white and multi-coloured flashing fairy lights and silhouettes of Father Christmas, while Christmas trees and reindeers are on display in the windows.

The lights are so spectacular Mr Evans said motorists keep slowing down to look at them and he has spotted a few regulars who drive past his house and stop to look at the lights every day.

Mr Evans, who lives with his wife Suzanne and three children, Tyler, Nicole and Lauren, said: "You certainly notice the two houses when you come round the corner, they are a real sight. All the other residents love them and it has filled the street with Christmas cheer."

Mr Evans and Mr Bakker, who lives with his wife Paula and four children, Jake, Sophie, Ken and Brittany, plan to build on their collection to make their light displays bigger and better every year.

Mr Evans said: "It will just get bigger and bigger. The lights are a joint effort and they cheer everyone up."