FORGET the festive lights of Oxford Street - the village of Kilgetty has its own seasonal tourist attraction, thanks to the Christmas House of Peter and Audrey Thomas.

Bedecked with 180 sets of lights, an illuminated nativity scene and a ladder-climbing Santa, the Thomass home has been attracting large crowds of spectators ever since its December 1st switch-on.

On the first night, around 100 people gathered outside and began singing why are we waiting? before greeting the lighting display with a big cheer.

And so many people have turned up to admire the Thomass house and garden - as well as neighbouring properties in St Marys Place and Carmarthen Road - that a collecting box for the Paul Sartori Foundation has already raised over £1,000. Helping with this total were young carol-singers Jessie Fletcher and Linzi and Kelsie Ormond, who donated the £6.12 they raised in the village.

Said Peter: Its wonderful to look out and see the childrens faces, and Ill never forget a little boy who came last year. His mother told us he was going blind, so we took him right into the garden and he walked round putting his eyes close up to the lights. It brought a lump to my throat, I can tell you.

Peter and Audrey have been making a special effort with their Christmas lighting for the past decade, but this year is the most spectacular ever, featuring 30 new sets of lights.

Whenever were away, we go into the Christmas shops which are open all year round and see what we can find, said Peter. Its something we both thoroughly enjoy, and its lovely to see the special effort that our neighbours have made as well.

Peter works with his son Kevin in his fuel distribution business, and took three weeks off in November to erect the display, which he reckons will put at least £100 on his electricity bill.

But the reward is the reaction from the public. The other night, the National bus slowed down for the passengers to see our lights, and the driver gave a commentary, said Peter. And we had a letter from an old peoples home saying that their residents reckoned we had the best lights in the whole of Pembrokeshire.

But while the lights go on outside the Thomass home between 4.45 pm and 10.30 pm, inside the property there is scarcely a need to flick a switch.

Its so bright outside that we can sit and eat our tea without a light on in the house! laughed Peter.