A POOLE man spent four hours setting up a light display on his house for local NHS workers fighting coronavirus.

Derek Courtney, 66, puts lights up every year around Christmas time and decided to create a special message to brighten up NHS workers’ day.

Mr Courtney said: “If they are working late and come by it might cheer them up.

“They do such a great job. It is about showing respect for them. They are on the front line.

“I thought it was something positive and would make them smile.”

Mr Courtney said he already had the lights from his Christmas displays and has had messages on Facebook and from neighbours about his NHS exhibition.

The lights come on on a timer on the side of Mr Courtney’s home in Dacombe Drive.

Speaking about the current lockdown, Mr Courtney said everyone on his road had been very good and were abiding to the rules.

“I have found everyone is a lot more chatty,” he said.

“Because you are apart you tend to make more conversation. Normally you go into the shop, get your stuff and go.

“When you are stood outside everyone is chatting away to eachother, it is quite nice.”

Derek’s daughter, Victoria, 40, who doesn’t live with them, said: “It’s fantastic, he gets lots of comments at Christmas.

“I haven’t actually seen him in a couple of weeks because of the lockdown.

“He’s definitely one of my heroes. He is an amazing father and one of my best friends so I am delighted that he will get some recognition for his hard work.

“He has been getting a lot of traction locally with this positive message and turns on the lights every night. Anything to get people smiling in this unprecedented, monotonous times.”