At Towton, near Tadcaster, villagers claim their illuminations put other villages in the shade.

Illuminations committee chairman Dave "Reg" Holdsworth said: "The display gets bigger and better every year. "This year we have added a snowman, intermittent flashing star and more Christmas trees sited on houses."

He said people came from miles around to see the lights and all donations went to Martin House Hospice, at Boston Spa.

Updated: 14:04 Thursday, December 06, 2001