Winter wonderland

MORE than 30,000 lights brightened up the Bachmann family garden last night for the annual Winter Wonderland display.

The charity event, in aid of the Lions Club of Guernsey and Cancer Research, drew lots of visitors despite the bad weather. There were several new illuminations as well as hot food and glow sticks on sale.

'This year is the 12th we have been running it,' said organiser Hedley Watson of the Lions Club.

'There are some lights in the garden that people won't have seen before. The principal thing is the garden all lit up. But we have Father Christmas, chestnuts, bean jar, burgers and hot dogs.

'We had an excellent response from the public with ticket sales.'

Free buses ran from Specsavers' car park to the venue.

'People say this is the start of Christmas,' he said.

'You have the switch-on of the lights in Town and this is the next one. It's been going for a long time and people come here year after year. The same faces meet up and have a chat and it helps start up the festivities.'

All the money raised is split equally between the two charities.

Last year's event made about £9,000 and organisers were hoping for £8-£10,000 this time.

• Photos by Tom Tardif. Copies may be ordered from our photo orders section.