Two Shropshire families are leading the way in lighting up the county for Christmas.

A Wem family have put up illuminations and a couple from Snailbeach have transformed their back garden into a winter wonderland. Ellen and Lee Weaver, of Queensway, Wem, put up their festive lights at the start of December and are asking for donations to Cancer Research.

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The couple, who have five children aged three to 14, said they have been putting on displays for about nine years.

Mrs Weaver, 36, said: “The lights are really dramatic and the children love it; they get really excited when the lights go up.”

Mr Weaver, 37, said: “We put a charity box outside and invite people to have a look at the lights then leave a do- nation. We only raised about £60 last year although it seems to be going better this year. The neighbours all love it and the kids love it too. We are all big Christmas lovers.”

John and Ann Jones seek donations for the Severn Hospice with their display at their home in Snailbeach, near Minsterley. They have raised £260.

They spent about three weeks setting up the 160 sets of lights, which take up about two-thirds of their garden.

The couple have spent thousands of pounds to buy the lights and decorations since first setting them up more than 20 years ago when their children were small.

Minsterley Motors managing director Mr Jones, 59, said: “We started to put them up when our children were small and the youngest is now 24.

“As time has gone on we’ve put more and more up and somebody suggested putting a box up for charity and we’ve been doing that for about five or six years. Last year we raised £900.

“We always like Christmas and like to celebrate it well.

“People can come down to the gates to see them all. We love to see the faces of the little children and share the enjoyment.” The lights are switched on for about five hours a night and will be up until January 6.

• Have you lit up your house this Christmas? If so, send us your pictures. All pictures will appear on our website shropshirestar.com and a selection of the best will appear in the Shropshire Star. E-mail your pictures to photodesk@shropshirestar.co.uk