Christmas-crazy pair turn home into a Disney dream - but the plug gets pulled

Virgin Radio

14 Dec 2020, 12:20

You never can go too OTT when it comes to Christmas. More is most certainly more when faced with festive decorating, even if it does cost you a small fortune. A Somerset couple have created this festive spectacular to raise money for charity - but it's had complaints from the neighbours.

Tintinhull residents Dan Warr-Extance and Mark Extance-Warr turned their house into a festive extravaganza with thousands of lights and Christmas-themed ornaments in their annual offering.

The married couple started making the display since October - but have had problems with unhappy neighbours over social distancing.

Writing on their Facebook page, the pair explained why they had to pull the plug: "We are sorry but we have had to turn the lights off, due to someone phoning the police about social distancing.

Credit: SWNS: South West News Service

"We have also had a lot of people visiting from Tier 3 areas.

''The police have said we have manned the lights perfectly, but unfortunately a small amount have ruined it for everyone else.''

Mark and Dan have raised around £40,000 for charity in the past due to people visiting the impressive sight, with money going to the NHS and the local air ambulance this year.

The creative couple have spent over £20,000 on the spectacular over the years and began the display after Dan was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2008.

Credit: SWNS: South West News Service

Prior to the unfortunate festive faux-pas, Dan said: "We both love Christmas.

"We started the village scene in August - the main build took eight weeks.

"We love anything theatrical. We're involved in theatre and used to do the carnival.

“Last year we raised just under £3,000, so it would be lovely to beat that."

Credit: SWNS: South West News Service

Speaking to Somerset Live, they said about the police involvement: "They advised us to switch off last night because of the sheer amount of people it has pulled in.

"After the grief we have encountered over the last week, we couldn’t be any more in agreement with them.

Credit: SWNS: South West News Service

"We personally have decided to turn them off for a while to hopefully help calm the 'visitor attendance'.

"When and IF we feel it’s safe to do so, we may turn them back on but as it stands we have no intentions on turning them on, they certainly will not be on this week."