PLENTY of people go the extra mile at this time of year with their festive lights spectaculars.
But Paul Murphy has gone one step further - by creating a lights show set to music.
The 47-year-old has been decorating his home in Leveret Close, New Addington, every Christmas for 20 years.
This year, however, he's taken his display to another level with a dazzling computerised light show, which motorists can enjoy to music by re-tuning their car radio.
Paul, a carer, set up the display with his son John, 19, and has spent his spare time over the past 10 months on the "painstaking and laborious" task of programming the lights to the music.
He decided he wanted to use the display to raise money for charity and has so far raised more than £275 to help his fellow estate resident Malachi Reid, 10, walk unaided again.
"In the beginning, when we decided to do this to music, I said to my eldest I'd like to do it for charity," said Paul.
"Because I live in New Addington I wanted it to be something local.
"Pathfinders [the community group] put me in touch with Malachi's Only Wish. So I went and had a cup of tea with his family and told them I wanted to raise money and they were behind me all the way."
Paul invited Malachi, who has cerebral palsy, to switch on the lights on Friday, December 6, in front of a crowd of about 130.
"He sat there and he looked amazed. All together the launch night was brilliant and our Facebook page went mental," Paul added.
"We had some good feedback. One lady said beforehand there weren't a lot of lights so thought it was going to be rubbish, but when she saw it with the music she went 'wow'."
Paul said he was inspired to decorate his house after visiting America.
He said: "I went over to Florida for Thanksgiving at my sister-in-law's house who asked me to give her a hand with the lights display.
"I'd love people to embrace the Christmas spirit like they do over there."
The 30 minute shows, which feature prog-rock versions of Christmas classics run from 5-9pm every night until January 6.
Those watching can tune their radio to 100.7fm to hear the music along with the light show.
Donations to Paul's lights appeal for Malachi can be made online at www.justgiving.com/ MerryMurphyChristmas
