Christmas came early thanks to a Huddersfield family – and the THREE turkeys went down a treat.

Tim and Julie Longton, of Oakes, open their home every year for up to 60 students from the University of Huddersfield.

Helped by other volunteers from Huddersfield Christian Fellowship, the family serves up a festive lunch followed by fun and games for students from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds.

“It’s ridiculously early but we just love Christmas,” said Tim.

“It’s hard work but really good fun.”

Tim’s love of Christmas also extends to festooning the outside of his home in Tanyard Road in festive lights.

This year Tim has surpassed himself and the house is ablaze with lights after dark.

The home of the Longton family in Tanyard Road, Oakes, who hosted their annual Christmas lunch for students.
The home of the Longton family in Tanyard Road, Oakes, who hosted their annual Christmas lunch for students.

There are so many bulbs Tim couldn’t begin to count them – but what he can count is the cost of the electricity.

“We have a smart meter so we can see how much the consumption goes up when we switch the lights on,” said Tim.

“We’ve worked out that if we left the lights on 24 hours a day, seven days a week our annual electricity bill would be £10,000!

“We haven’t worked out how much it costs per day because that’s not what it’s about. Christmas is a fantastic time and there are lots of miserable people who don’t light up their homes so we make up for them.”

Have you got more illuminations than the Longtons? We want to find the district’s best Christmas lights show. E-mail your pictures to editorial@examiner.co.uk