A CHRISTMAS lights fan who has raised thousands for children’s charities has returned this year with a sparkling display.

Fundraiser Mick Record, 71, has amused hundreds of passers-by with his Christmas light displays between 1995 and 2010 – and has decided to switch on once more.

He is inviting people to come and enjoy the display at his home in Symonds Close, Lodmoor, Weymouth, and make a donation to Dorset children’s hospice Julia’s House.

The first display he organised raised £200 for Wyvern School.

Over the years he has raised a total of £15,000 for local charities.

The lights cost Mr Record about £400 a year to power and the kind-hearted pensioner gives out chocolates to passing children and families.

He said: “In 1995 I put up the first lights on a tree outside, but then I saw some reindeer lights and got two, and then went back and got even more lights.

“My neighbour said I should do it for charity and that’s how it started. It got better every year.”

For the last two years, Mick has not put up any lights because his mind was on his wife Diane.

Four years ago, Mrs Record, 66, was taken seriously ill with a liver complaint and picked up an infection, which spread to her brain and other parts of her body.

She was treated at Dorset County Hospital where doctors told the family to expect the worst – but Mrs Record defied the doctors to make a recovery.

Every year Mr Record has donated the money to children’s charities, except for one year when he donated to the RNLI.

Mr Record added: “The aim of the lights is to raise money for charity and spread community cheer at Christmas time.

“I would encourage anyone who hasn’t seen them before to pop down and give what they can in the donation boxes outside for Julia’s House, because every little helps.

“My son has a step-son Liam who is autistic and my sister has learning difficulties, so it’s always been a cause close to the family.”