A Totton mum has spent the last five months transforming her front garden into a winter wonderland for everyone to enjoy – and it’s all in aid of charity.

For the third time in four years, Mary Whitcher and her family in Totton have lit up their street with hundreds of colourful Christmas lights.

Crowds gathered on Saturday night to watch as fake snow rained down from above and the lights display was officially switched on for the first time this year.

Mary said: “We started putting the display up in August and we had to tweak it many times due to the weather – of course we just had one really big storm.

“So all in all it has taken us around five months to get the display up and running.

Mary and her familyMary and her family (Image: NQ) “This our third time we have done this and I am really proud to say that the last two times we did this we managed to pull off around £2,000 each time – so £4,000 went to Oakhaven Hospice and this year we're raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

A timer counting down the days to December 25 is displayed next to the front window, which went live 150 days before Christmas day.

READ MORE: Mum puts Christmas decorations outside home in September

“We have gathered such a large collection of bits now – some of our decorations come from as far as America.

(Image: NQ) “The kids absolutely love it – their faces light up as they walk by.

“We have one little girl at the end of the road, every morning she walks past our house – she can tell if there is something missing, something new or if any changes have been made.

“Everyone round here knows us as the Christmas house.

“So far, we have managed to raise a grand for Make-A-Wish just through our raffle – people can also donate by scanning the QR codes outside.”

(Image: NQ) One Southampton resident, reacting to the display, added: “Great display Mary as always such a great effort, done for worthy cause.”

Another said: “Fantastic Mary, you should be so proud - looks amazing.”