AN East Lancashire family is getting ready for a Christmas challenge that could light up the whole street.

Betty Edwardson and her daughter-in-law Helen, who live next door to each other in Limefield Avenue, Whalley, are gearing up for their annual battle to see who has the biggest and best Christmas lights.

Previous years have seen an army of Santas, a whole fleet of reindeer and thousands of fairy lights outside their homes.

The competition was sparked seven years ago when Betty was determined not to be left in the shade.

Explaining her family's festive fascination Betty said: "This all started six or seven years ago. Helen put up extra fairy lights, so I put up even more fairy lights. Then she put up some reindeer, so I put a mannequin dressed as Santa in my front garden, and it all spiralled from there."

And according to Betty the competition has turned into such a spectacle that people driving past will stop to take pictures, and local children can't seem to keep themselves away.

The displays are so popular Betty has had to introduce new security measures in her garden.

She added: "My mannequin Santa has been stolen three times. I've had to put a hidden camera in one of my Christmas trees to keep an eye on it."

Betty reckons she has taken the championship this year by installing a Santa's grotto in her living room, but Helen has other ideas.

"Our house has definitely won this year." she said. "We've got more lights, speakers playing Christmas music and a bubble machine!"

She added: "We've been competing like this for a long time now. My husband Dave says it's all for the kids but I think secretly, it's really for us."