ST HELENS now has its very own sparkling attraction to rival Blackpool's world famous Illuminations.

For tucked away in a Haydock Street, 'Santa's Little Grotto' is the nickname given to the home of Peter and Lesley Arnold, by the flocks of visitors who come every night in the run up to Christmas.

Peter has lit up his semi-detached home in Central Drive, Haydock, with more than 10,000 festive light bulbs and visitors from far and wide are taking a detour to view his spectacular Christmas display.

Peter and Lesley bought their first outdoor Christmas lights three years ago and their desire to bring some festive cheer to the street has snowballed since then.

Now more than £2,000 worth of illuminated decorations light up the Arnold household and Lesley is already preparing herself for the January sales so that she can get some more outdoor decorations for next year.

The couple's eight-year-old daughter Lucy, who goes to St James' Primary School in Haydock, loves the Christmas lightshow that her dad takes pride in every year.

Lucy says: "The lights are brilliant and everyone keeps coming to look at them. All my friends think its great."