A FESTIVE family is setting the pace by being the first to put up a Christmas Tree.

While some homeowners were busy carving pumpkins for Hallowe'en, the McHughs were balancing the baubles, tying the tinsel and attaching the angel to their festive fir.

Mum Edith McHugh readily admits that her neighbours think she is Christmas crackers.

"So does everyone at work," said 42-year-old Edith, a sewing machinist.

"But I tell them that if shopping centres can have theirs up then so can I. It cheers people up when they see it."

Edith usually has her tree up by mid-November but this year the fully-decorated plastic tree has taken pride of place in the family home since the end of October.

"This is the earliest I have put the tree up," said Edith. "We bought it and I couldn't see the point of putting it away for a couple of weeks."

Once her neighbours see the faint -- yet familiar -- twinkling of the Christmas tree lights seeping through the curtains Edith said they soon follow her lead

"Our tree is always the first up in the street," she said. "They think I'm mad but they put theirs up soon after."

Husband Maurice and seven children Zodie, twins Sarah and Clare, Fay, Maurice, Vicky and Adam, all join in the festive fun, at home in Elswick Road, Darwen, even if Christmas is still 52 days away. Edith, who works at GGI Office Furniture, in Darwen, usually replaces her tree every four or five years and sticks with the plastic variety.

"I had a real tree once but all the needles fell off," she said. "By the time Christmas came it was bare."

Although she is a fan of Christmas, Edith is not one to hang about once it's over.

"The tree is usually down by the first day of the New Year," she said.

Do you know anyone who is even more Christmas Crackers than this family? I f so ring our newsdesk on 01254 678678 ext 219.

Picture: Edith and her 12-year-old son Adam with the family's Christmas tree.