NEIGHBOURS have turned a street into a spectacular festive lights show to raise cash for two charities.

People who go to see the lights on Robin Royd Avenue in Mirfield have been urged to show their appreciation by donating money.

The lights cover three homes. When they were switched on the road was closed, Skelmanthorpe Brass Band played carols and a celebration was held in a garage belonging to one of the residents, Derek Highe.

Fireworks for the event were donated by Whiteleys Garden Centre in Mirfield.

Mr Highe said: "We were overwhelmed by the number of people who came for the switch-on.

"There were more than 500 there and we raised over £1,000 on that night alone.

"I now have a sign in my garden which urges people to pop charitable donations through my letterbox so we can boost the total by Christmas.

"The money is coming in, with almost £50 posted through on one night."

One of the charities which will benefit is the Oesophageal Patients' Association, which helped one of Mr Highe's friends who died from cancer.

David Owens, from Dewsbury, played football with the Wheelwright Old Boys in Dewsbury and was very well-known.

He died from cancer just below the oesophagus, but was very impressed with the way he was counselled by the association.

The other good cause is a fund for five-year-old Zak James from Lower Hopton, who has leukaemia. His family aims to take him to Disney World in Florida next year when he is recovering from his treatment.

Zak, a pupil at Hopton Junior, Infants and Nursery School, has had a tough time since he was diagnosed with leukaemia in January, 2001. He has had a tube in a main artery in his chest which doctors use to give him chemotherapy, and other medication.

The tube will be removed early next year and Zak's family - mum, Fiona, dad Geraint and seven-year-old sister, Jamie, hope to take him to Florida in October. Fundraising is now well under way.

Mr Highe said: "David would have been the first to have donated money for Zak so it's great to help two very worthy causes."

Mr Highe's impressive lights show is boosted by his neighbours who have festooned lights all over their homes.

They are Bob and Margaret Swailes and David and Tracey Green.

Mr Highe added: "This all started about 11 years ago when I first put Christmas lights up outside. Now it's just mega and people are driving by in droves."

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