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Plug pulled on Christmas lights Plug pulled on Christmas lights
(about 13 hours later)
A couple who decorated their house for 20 years with more than 50,000 Christmas lights say they can no longer afford it due to electricity prices.A couple who decorated their house for 20 years with more than 50,000 Christmas lights say they can no longer afford it due to electricity prices.
Bernard and Denise Lumsden, of Brislington, Bristol, have transformed their home into a huge light display for charity for two decades.Bernard and Denise Lumsden, of Brislington, Bristol, have transformed their home into a huge light display for charity for two decades.
Last year's electricity bill, which covered six months, was £1,200 - double the previous year.Last year's electricity bill, which covered six months, was £1,200 - double the previous year.
The Lumsdens have raised a total of £15,000 for local children's charities.The Lumsdens have raised a total of £15,000 for local children's charities.
'Upsetting''Upsetting'
The couple also said safety tests meant it cost them £300 to have each light, decoration "and even the kettle" checked.The couple also said safety tests meant it cost them £300 to have each light, decoration "and even the kettle" checked.
Bernard Lumsden, 58, said: "We are both so sad and choked up about it.Bernard Lumsden, 58, said: "We are both so sad and choked up about it.
"Just talking about it is upsetting. We are going to miss seeing the big smiling faces on the children and the mums, dads and their grandparents."Just talking about it is upsetting. We are going to miss seeing the big smiling faces on the children and the mums, dads and their grandparents.
"Three generations have been coming to see your lights and it's going to be very weird not having them around."Three generations have been coming to see your lights and it's going to be very weird not having them around.
"With all the electricity costs, the red tape we have decided to stop. Npower looked into our bill and we had to tell them that it was the light display.""With all the electricity costs, the red tape we have decided to stop. Npower looked into our bill and we had to tell them that it was the light display."
This Christmas they will decorate the house with just two 3.7m (12ft) inflatable carousels.This Christmas they will decorate the house with just two 3.7m (12ft) inflatable carousels.
A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said there was no specific demand on the couple to have the lights checked but said they had a general responsibility to make their home safe.A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said there was no specific demand on the couple to have the lights checked but said they had a general responsibility to make their home safe.
She said: "If they have put lights up themselves, the householder has a civil duty of care to make sure it's safe."She said: "If they have put lights up themselves, the householder has a civil duty of care to make sure it's safe."
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said there were no restrictions in place governing displays at someone's home - only workplaces.A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said there were no restrictions in place governing displays at someone's home - only workplaces.
Mr Lumsden, a retired lorry driver, is now selling his collection of lights, Christmas decorations and accessories.Mr Lumsden, a retired lorry driver, is now selling his collection of lights, Christmas decorations and accessories.