In Pictures: Festive lights spread welcome cheer as UK steps into Christmas

Colourful creations have been brightening locations up and down the country.

Festive light displays have been spreading welcome cheer across the UK and Ireland in the run-up to Christmas this year.

As uncertainty around the Omicron coronavirus variant looms large over the festive season, creative types have been working their magic designing winter wonderlands to lift the nation’s spirits.

Here are some of the highlights.

Christmas 2021 — Christmas lights along High Street in Dunbar, East Lothian (Jane Barlow/PA)

Residents on Byron Road in New Milton have raised more than £85,000 for charities since they started displaying festive illuminations more than 15 years ago.

Lots of light displays are created to raise funds for worthy causes, with the NHS the recipient of the proceeds of this year’s Byron Road extravaganza.

Christmas Glow lights at RHS Garden Wisley — RHS Garden Wisley in Woking, Surrey, was hosting Glow 2021, an illuminated trail including fire candles and fountain displays (Steve Parsons/PA)

This year Mini bosses are supporting Mr Martin, providing him with a Mini Electric wrapped in thousands of Christmas lights ready for him to take out on the road.

Connaught Village festive lights — The Tree of Love, Joy and Hope in Connaught Village, London, received a festive makeover (John Nguyen/PA)