IT HAS been a labour of love since the August bank holiday but 25-year-old Matt Whitham has finally finished building his Chirstmas lights display around the family house.

And what a triumph it is!

Scroll above for photos and down for video

The Goldcrest Close property is bedecked with an unknown amount of lightbulbs - with 8,000 lights on the fences alone.

Donations raised will be given to two charities - Isle of Wight Samaritans and Wessex Cancer Trust.

The County Press were lucky enough to have a preview, but the lights officially open at 6pm tonight (Thursday).

You can visit the house any time between 4.30pm and 8.30pm, on all the days leading up to the New Year. 

Matt said: "I do it because I absolutely love it, and it's even better to know it's supporting two deserving charities.

"The tribute to the Queen (see photo) was a last minute addition and I think people will like that."

And we just had to ask Matt about the energy bill, amid the currently energy crisis.

He said: "I'm paying the electric bill myself and I've budgeted hard for it, but it's not as bad as people think it will be. It is what it is, and for the joy the lights bring, and the money raised for charity, it will all be worth it."