A COUPLE in Pontymister have switched on the Christmas lights on their house - despite council objections to their festive decorations.

Jennifer and Michael Horner, (pictured) who have decorated their home in Tyn-y-Cwm for the last 24 years, were determined the lights would go on as normal.

The couple received a letter from Caerphilly council objecting to screws being drilled into the newly renovated council houses in the street, saying temporary fixtures could damage the stonework on properties.

But on Friday evening dozens of neighbours turned out to see the lights officially turned on.

Mr Horner said the lights this year are in memory of his father-in-law, Gerald Lloyd, who died at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport last week at the age of 74.

Mr Lloyd, of Raglan Street, also lit up his house every year and there was friendly competition between the two families to achieve the best display.

"We started it when we lived in Bargoed and then my father-in-law began doing the same. He would copy what I did and I would copy him," said Mr Horner. "One year we had a crib and the next year he had one as well."

Mr Lloyd's funeral is being held today and the lights on his home and Mr Horner's were on all day as a mark of respect.

"He was a wonderful father, he was like a father to me as well, and we wanted to turn the lights on in memory of him. He loved his lights just like me."

Mr Horner, who collects hundreds of pounds each year for local charities from donations from people who flock to see his lights, said he did not see the problem with the screws he puts in the house walls as they would be left in all year around and are not temporary fixtures.

A spokesman for Caerphilly council declined to comment yesterday.