CHRISTMAS may be four months away but it hasn't stopped an Oxfordshire man from getting ready for the festive season.

Martin Claridge, from Kennington, has already built a huge Santa's sleigh for his Christmas display this year.

After his success last year, the 54-year-old will be covering his house in lights and ornaments again in a bid to raise money for the NHS this Christmas.

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The sleigh, which is eight foot long and four foot wide and made out of plywood, is a key feature of this year's display which Mr Claridge says will be 'bigger and better'.

He said: "Last year was the first time I did a display. I thought it would be nice to add something to it to make people come back again this year, so I thought of the sleigh.

"I've been making it and it's coming along really well. I'll put it in the front garden so that when the public come to view it, they can sit in it and take photos.

Oxford Mail: Martin Claridge is already starting to get his Christmas display ready by building a huge Santa’s sleigh which people will be able to sit in and take pics. 03/08/2021 Picture by Ed Nix

"Last year it lifted everyone's spirits and so I'm hoping to make it the highlight of the year again."

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Asked how much it would cost Mr Claridge to run the whole display which will have thousands of lights, he said: "It doesn't cost a lot, it's all LED light bulbs now so its not very expensive to run at all really and it'll only be on for a few hours not all day long."

Mr Claridge said people from across the county including Bicester and Banbury flocked to his home to see the lavish decorations last Christmas.

He managed to raise £750 for the NHS and hopes people will be generous again when he switches the lights on in November.

He added: "I'm doing it again for the NHS seeing as the pandemic is still going on and the workers are struggling and they didn't get much of a pay rise. Next year we'll do it for something different."

Oxford Mail: Martin Claridge is already starting to get his Christmas display ready by building a huge SantaÕs sleigh which people will be able to sit in and take pics. 03/08/2021 Picture by Ed Nix

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Mr Claridge is in the process of putting lettering on the sleigh before moving onto doing the rest of the decorations.

Residents in Kennington are excited to see the display come together at the end of the year.

Leslie Ponting said on the Kennington Connected Facebook group: "I can’t wait to bring my grandkids. Things like this really make Christmas."

Jackie Smith said: "Looking forward to seeing it in all its splendour."

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