Not many people can lay claim to having a herd of reindeer in their garden.

Stan Truelove can, having unveiled his £5,000 Christmas lights at his South Street, Canterbury, home.

“I’ve spent about £1,500 on new bits alone,” says the father-of-two. “I’ve got a herd of reindeer out the back this year, and three snow machines on the porch and roof.”

Stan started lighting up his home a dozen years ago since when it has become a tradition that glows bigger and brighter every year.

“When I started doing this it was just for the kids,” said the 53-year-old builder and property developer. “But now I do it for the adults. It’s a great talking point.”

It took Stan three weeks and the help of two friends to rig up the display. Every night up to and including Christmas Eve, he and partner Sandra, and his daughters Karen and Sam, will be outside the house collecting for Pilgrims Hospices.

Stan says: “Pilgrims is a great cause, the people there are so great.

“I will be really happy if I can match the £2,300 I collected last year since no one’s got any money at the moment.”

Stan’s electricity bill soars by more than £200 during December but it is a price he is happy to pay.