TV SOAP star Gemma Merna will officially switch on a Hampshire family’s Christmas lights tonight, thanks to a Daily Echo competition.

Virgin Media is giving the Crosby family an extra special VIP Christmas as they transform their Netley Abbey home into a magical winter wonderland, complete with twinkling Christmas lights, freshly laid snow and a visit from Santa.

Hayley Crosby, along with her partner and three sons, will welcome Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna, who plays Carmel in the hit soap, to light up their house this evening.

Hayley was the lucky winner of a once in a lifetime Daily Echo competition to celebrate the complete “switch-on” of Virgin Media’s services in Southampton, giving about 80,000 homes access to the UK’s most advanced digital services and ultrafast 100Mb ultrafast broadband.

Ms Crosby said: “We are so excited for the switch-on. I entered because my son’s favourite film is Home Alone and I wanted him to get the chance to see our house all lit up like the film.

“I’m really excited about brightening up our street too. We live near a school and I can’t wait to see the children’s faces.”

To keep the festive spirit alive Hayley and her family will also receive Virgin Media’s TiVo powered digital TV service for a year.

Residents across the city can now access the full complement of Virgin Media’s digital and home entertainment services.