Grandad Brian Duffus

An Aberdeen family is in full festive spirit after lighting up their homes with Christmas lights.

Bright spark grandad Brian Duffus is behind the dazzling Bridge of Don displays.

The self-employed electrician has illuminated his Lee Crescent North home with the help of wife Sylvia for the second year.

But this year it's become a family affair after their daughter, Julie Hurn, asked for her family home to be decorated.

Brian said: "When I started working on our house, Julie decided she wanted hers done too."

Supermarket assistant Julie lives nearby at Greenbrae Avenue with husband Gary, a taxi driver, and children Scott, 16, and Keith, 12.

Brian has decked out both houses with various lights, including 8ft polar bears in the gardens and Santa sleighs across the walls.

"It's very expensive and adds a lot to your electricity bill for the month," joked Brian.

Brian first lit up his home of 18 years after neighbours asked to see his indoor displays.

"I used to do a lot of decorations inside and neighbours would ask if their kids could come in and have a look," said former Grammar School pupil Brian.

"I would do things like pictures of a house with tinsel all around it but I got bored with keeping it inside so took it outside."

He and Sylvia, a home help, came up with different ideas by surfing the internet.

Brian then set about his massive four-week task of setting up his display.

But the couple, who also have two sons Gary and Douglas, are making the most of his hard work by raising cash for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's Anchor Unit.

They chose the unit because their neighbour works there as a nurse.

But when it came to switching on the lights, there could only be one star of the show.

"I switched them on," said Brian whose grandson Ryan, four, watched with excitement.

"I'm the biggest kid of them all."