It's not just because of the time of year that a Bradford couple's home is all lit up like a Christmas tree - it's because of love, too.

Their brilliant display of lights and decorations, which has attracted visitors from miles away, is a public display of their togetherness.

Paul McCormick met Deborah Stewart, 32, a sister of dermatology at St Luke's Hospital, in April and, by October, they had set up home in Trinity Road, Low Moor. "Deborah and I hit it off straight away and you could say it was a whirlwind romance," said Paul, 37, a chiropodist.

"We thought that, to make our first Christmas that bit special, we would make a real effort and decorate the house. It is a nice area anyway but this improves it even more. It has certainly got people talking."

So much so that up to 30 cars visit the cul-de-sac every night, delighting Paul.

"Even police officers have taken pictures on their mobile phones of themselves next to the display," he said. "People drive up the cul-de-sac specially. Although it is very bright, the neighbours don't mind because the display is so nice.

"Complete strangers have offered us money which we have not taken but next year we would like to use the display to raise cash for presents for under-privileged children in the area."

A few miles away in Southmere Road, Great Horton, Rachael Flint and her husband Adrian have covered their home in another dazzling array of festive lights. Sales administrator Rachael, 31, said: "We did it really for our daughter Jessica and the other kids in the area. Plus, I am just a big kid myself so any excuse for festive fun!

"It has, quite literally, lit up the neighbourhood. It's a great picture as you go past the house and the neighbours have also said how nice it looks.

"Children at nearby Southmere Primary School, including Jessica's friends, were asking what time the lights were going to come on, so they would see them on their way home.

"We had a big snowman on the garage roof but I took it down. Then people from the nursing home nearby started asking where it had gone, so I had to put it back up pretty quickly!