NOT even the worst of Storm Arwen could stop the organiser of Oswaldtwistle’s answer to ‘Blackpool Illuminations’ from creating his lights extravaganza on his street.

This is Tony Jenkinson’s 15th year of creating the attraction of an array of lights outside his house on Aspen Fold to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Charity.

The 65-year-old continues to be amazed by the support of friends on his street who also put up lights outside their homes to make it a festive event every year.

There was an official lights switch-on on Sunday night and Tony hopes lots more people arrive during the month to enjoy the lights and donate money to the good cause.

He said: “It was nice with all the snow at the weekend but there was not as many people as normal as it was very slippy and icy and perhaps people did not want to go out.

“I think we raised £400 on the first night which was lower than what we normally do but we hope more people will come out to enjoy it.

“We have got lit-up letterboxes for people to throw their money in.

“I am just amazed that most of the lights were still standing because of the winds last week.”

Mr Jenkinson covers his house in lights every year, in memory of his father, Arthur Jenkinson, who died after a battle with cancer in 2001. Last year he raised his best-ever amount of £2,246 and he would like to do the same this year.

Mr Jenkinson said: “I think my dad would have been proud of what I am doing. He always liked putting lights up in the house at Christmas.

“Christmas is a time when we think of loved ones and I think of him and we lost my mum, Irene, in July so I am thinking of them.

“We are raising a bit of money for West End Church and we are making a donation to them.”

Mr Jenkinson added that people travel from across the North West to see the lights and support him.

He said: “We have someone ringing us from Liverpool each year to check if we are doing it still.

“It is great as my neighbours do it too and it is amazing how they support it.”