Santa addssparkle tolight-up

The seasonal visitor will be calling into the Hook Lane house of lorry driver Jonathan and Louisa Shearer to help them raise money for a good cause.

He will be outside the couple's home to help them celebrate the switch-on of their first set of external illuminations.

The fun will be taking place between 6pm and 9pm tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.

Free mince pies will be handed out to those who go along to see the house ablaze with light and colour in aid of charity.

They are also holding a tombola after businesses responded generously to their appeal for prizes.

Santa will be able to recognise himself among the hundreds of lights that cover the property.

The lights are being brought to life in aid of the Battery Hen Welfare Trust.

Mrs Shearer said: 'This is the first year we have had any Christmas decorations up.

'All the front of our house and one of the side walls have been completely covered with the lights.

'Hopefully, what we are doing will make a difference to the lives of a few chickens.'

Mr and Mrs Shearer and their three children '“ aged three years, two years and seven months '“ look after some chickens for the trust.

It works by taking chickens out of the battery farm conditions when they are due to be pensioned off and enabling them to live the rest of their lives in more natural surroundings.

'Once you have seen the condition some of the chickens are in, then you want to help them,' explained professional carer Mrs Shearer.