IT'S A marathon task to check thousands of tiny Christmas bulbs each year - but residents say it's well worth it.

Kerry Close has become a major attraction in the village of Pennington, near Lymington, over the last few years, and this Christmas is no exception.

All eight homes in the close have spared no expense in the creation of this elaborate Yuletide kaleidoscope of Santas, sleighs and sparkling lights.

Over the past six years they've raised £18,500 for the New Forest's Oakhaven hospice. Now they could also be in line for the title of Daily Echo Haskins Festive Home of the Year - and a top prize of £300 Haskins vouchers.

Mike Allston, who's been adding to his stash of outside decorations for six years, said: "It started off that one house on the corner was doing it, then the next one along started. Now we all join in.

"We all co-ordinate the switch-on, and it takes about two or three weekends of preparation to get all the decorations up. People have come to expect it now, so we could never stop even if we wanted to."

l Do you know of a house or a street that could compete with Kerry Close? Contact the Daily Echo with your Haskins Festive Homes nominations.

We'll photograph the most dazzling December homes and bring you a selection before announcing the winners.

As well as the £300 top prize, there are two runner-up prizes of £50 to spend at home and garden store Haskins in West End.