RESIDENTS lit up Poole with a Christmas tradition that has been running for 50 years and raised almost £30k for charity.

Houses on Runton Road, Branksome, take part in the annual switch on of festive lights in a bid to raise money for their chosen charities.

John Tuvey’s family are one of the original houses, with his father decking the house more than 50 years ago.

Bournemouth Echo:

Since then, John bought the property himself and used the popularity of the lights to raise money for good causes.

In the past ten years, John’s house alone has raised around £29,000 for Julia’s House, a local children’s hospice.

He said ‘swarms of people come up’ to view the display on the street.

“Sometimes a few more houses take part, sometimes a few less,” said John.

“Although as I get a bit older, the lights don’t go quite as high anymore.”

John also hands out chocolates and sweets to children and families walking by to view his lights.

“I will keep doing it every year as long as I am fit enough,” said John.

Although the street used to take part in a grand switch on, in recent years neighbours turn their displays on bit by bit.

However, Lucy and Claire Bradley, who were showing their children the lights, said that the gradual switch on means they can do a few laps of the cul-de-sac and see more each time.

“It is just a lovely free activity for the kids,” said Lucy.

Claire added that the charities, including Julia’s House and the RNLI, are ‘such great causes’, and that the children love seeing all the different colours.

One house even had a snow machine from their upstairs window, encouraging the local children to play in the ‘snow’.

Ollie Clayton brought his wife Jodie and two children, Hugo and Harley, to see the display after his nan used to bring him when he was a child.

“I’ve been coming for years and it’s just great,” said Ollie.

Jodie added: “And now we get to bring our babies along too.”