And after all his efforts, he is keeping his fingers crossed that the epic display won't blow a fuse... or cause any other disasters.

The father-of-two's Christmas display is a talking point among friends and neighbours, but not for the obvious reasons.

In recent years, his festive capers have left him with broken bones and a hole in the attic roof.

The former serviceman said: "Every year I've broken a bone. For instance, last year I broke my ribs when I fell putting the lights up and the year before I fell through the attic roof putting the lights away."

He added: "I was in the forces and started out with a foot high Christmas tree. When I moved here, the neighbours put lights out and it's grown from there."

He was so deflated with his attempts to decorate the outside of his home last year that he has really gone to town this time – splashing out a staggering £4,000 on festive lights.

Phil, of Leadale Road, Leyland, has already started decorating the outside of his semi, hoping to finish in time for the big switch-on by December 1 - much to the delight of his starry-eyed youngsters Chloe, four, and Lewis, two.

He tests every bulb before he starts on his design. Besides a host of illuminated wall pictures, statues on top of the garage and colourful garden features, he is creating a massive archway to light up the path from the street to his front door.

Phil added: "I drive around looking for ideas. When the neighbours put theirs up, they are all linked. It is really good.

"The only drawback is that as soon as the children see the lights come down from the loft, they think Santa's on his way!"

The display remains illuminated until January 3.

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