One of Britain's most-festive houses switches OFF fundraising display
One of Britain’s most-festive houses switches OFF its extravagant charity fundraising display after locals called police because visitors weren’t socially distancing
- Dan and Mark Warr-Extance converted their property in Tintinhull, Somerset
- Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were called about the festive display
- Funds raised this year will go to the NHS, local air ambulance and other causes
One of Britain’s most-festive homes has switched off its elaborate fundraising charity Christmas display after neighbours called the police over a lack of social distancing.
Dan and Mark Warr-Extance converted their property in Tintinhull, Somerset, into a winter wonderland featuring reindeers and illuminated turrets built on top of their bungalow with scaffolding.
The lights, which have been an annual attraction for the past four years, have been turned off after an onlooker phoned the police to complain about social distancing.
Dan and Mark Warr-Extance converted their property in Tintinhull, Somerset, into a winter wonderland (pictured)
The couple, who have spent around £20,000 on decorations since starting the festive tradition, urged people to take care and Dan even marshalled the crowds.
On the Tintinhull Christmas Lights Display Facebook page, the pair wrote on Saturday: ‘We are sorry but we have had to turn the lights off, due to someone phoning the police about social distancing
‘We have asked this time and time again….We have also had a lot of people visiting from Tier Three areas.
The festive wonderland, featuring reindeers and illuminated turrets, is built on top of their bungalow with scaffolding (pictured)
‘The police have said, we have manned the lights perfectly, but unfortunately a small amount have ruined it for everyone else…. We will be off for a while and will try again when we feel safe to do it.’
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were called about the display and a spokesman told SomersetLive that ‘people running into hundreds’ were ‘waiting to see them.’
The pair have been decorating their home in an elaborate fashion for the past four years as a way of raising money for charity.
Funds raised this year will go to the NHS, the local air ambulance and several other causes.
The couple, (pictured) who have spent around £20,000 on decorations since starting the festive tradition, urged people to take care and Dan even marshalled the crowds.
Speaking to SomersetLive, Dan and Mark said: ‘All we can say is that the display hasn’t been shut down by the police.
‘They advised us to switch off last night because of the sheer amount of people it’s pulled in.’
The pair revealed they ‘may’ turn the lights back on ‘when and if’ they feel it is safe to do so.
Dan and Mark have also set up a JustGiving page which has so far raised £1,560.
The pair have been decorating their home in an elaborate fashion for the past four years as a way of raising money for charity
Meanwhile father Trevor Payne, 46, was told he faced a £10,000 fine for his Christmas lights display in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, after they attracted ‘large gatherings’.
Pictures show families standing outside the brightly-lit semi-detached house before police intervened – sparking Mr Payne to switch-off the lights intended to raise money for mental health charities.
Officers later warned the Mr Payne that the gatherings outside his home could be breaching Covid rules for the Tier 3 area.
Mr Payne said: ‘No-one has anything else to do because of coronavirus and this was bringing a bit of joy, but now I’m having to turn people away who have come to see it. The kids have been left in tears, it’s heartbreaking.’
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