A TRIPLE heart bypass stood in the way of Dennis Backhouse's festive lights display last Christmas.But this year it is back, bigger and better than ever - and raising money for the doctors that helped him through his treatment.

A TRIPLE heart bypass stood in the way of Dennis Backhouse's festive lights display last Christmas.

But this year it is back, bigger and better than ever - and raising money for the doctors that helped him through his treatment.

Mr Backhouse, 73, has decorated his home in Wilford Bridge Road, Melton, with a multitude of sparkling lights for the last eight years and his display has become something of a tourist attraction, with visitors flocking from miles around to see it.

He said: "I was too ill to do them last year as I'd only just got out of hospital, but everybody in the area was up in arms.

"My daughter took call after call asking what had happened to them."

Mr Backhouse spent eight weeks in hospital during September and October last year and when he returned home suffered from severe depression.

He said: "It was a horrible time. Being in hospital for that long was just soul destroying and when I came out I was incredibly low.

"The doctors at Framfield House were amazing though and I wanted to do my lights in aid of them this year as a thank you."

Mr Backhouse hopes to raise £1,000 for a piece of specialist equipment used in the care of asthma patients and those with breathing difficulties.

His incredible display features over 7,000 light bulbs and a number of moving pieces including reindeer, a working windmill and a 7ft high big wheel which he built himself.

Mr Backhouse's family spent the whole of last weekend helping to put up the display, and by the end of Sunday afternoon he has already raised £17.

There will be a tin in his garden for donations and there is also a collection box in Lloyds chemists in the Thoroughfare, Woodbridge.

Cheques made payable to 'The Woodbridge Surgery Christmas Lights Fund', and cash can be taken to Lloyds TSB in Woodbridge where Mr Backhouse has set up a special account.

n The Evening Star will be tripping the light fantastic in the run up to Christmas. Keep an eye on the paper for our special spread on spectacular lights displays around the region.