A couple in their 70s have spent their lockdown transforming their home into a brilliant candy-themed light parade for Christmas
A Christmas-loving couple have spent their lockdown transforming their home into a brilliant candy-themed light parade in time for the festive season.
Great gran May Proctor, 70, and husband Rod, 72, spent hours each day toiling away to magically turn their estate into a light parade to celebrate the "magic of Christmas".
The festive couple have been decorating the Santa's grotto at their grandchildren's school for years - but sadly due to Covid those plans were cancelled.
But the joyous pair were undeterred by the setback and decided to go "all out" with this year's home decorations.
Their street in Leeds, West Yorks., has now been renamed "Candy Lane" and features thousands of magical Christmas lights as well as a sweet shop for children to enjoy.
Their home is now bursting with bright colours and dazzling lights - which they hope will lift people's moods during the Yuletide month.
The grandmother-of-21 said she spent a couple of hours each day for more than a month crafting her Christmas creations - including massive polystyrene candy canes, gingerbread men, snowmen and nutcrackers.
But said it was all worth it to see the smiles on children's faces when they pass by, who she says have "been through enough".
May, from Garforth, near Leeds, said: "We wanted to bring the magic of Christmas because it's so important.
"Seeing people smile means the world to me and seeing all of the kids looking so happy has been an overwhelming feeling.
"For me, it's a labour of love and we've been working on all of the decorations for about a month.
"The shop lights up - it's just beautiful.
"I come from a big family and we were very poor so when Christmas came around it was an amazing time we always cherished.
"I wanted to do something nice for the kids, because we've all had a tough year but it's been incredibly tough for the children as well.
"We know kids love a sweet shop so we thought we'd make one in our street and turn it into a real life Candy Lane for everyone to enjoy.
"It's magical for the kids who've really been through enough." The couple have been isolating at home due to the pandemic and wanted to use their time productively while locked down.
May converted her greenhouse in the back of her garden into a craft room where she carefully worked on her eye-catching decorations.
She made everything herself, with the help of her husband Rod, including the massive door and window, and the hundreds of massive candy canes made from polystyrene.
She said: "I've got a greenhouse in the back and I've turned it into my very own craft room.
"Everything we've made ourselves.
The door and window are made from PVC glass and wood.
"And I think people really appreciate the fact we've made everything ourselves.
"Hundreds of neighbours have come to see the house because it looks so bright and cheerful - people seem to really love it.
"Seeing everyone's reaction has made it all worth it, and made me feel all warm inside."
A Christmas-loving couple have spent their lockdown transforming their home into a brilliant candy-themed light parade in time for the festive season.
Great gran May Proctor, 70, and husband Rod, 72, spent hours each day toiling away to magically turn their estate into a light parade to celebrate the "magic of Christmas".
The festive couple have been decorating the Santa's grotto at their grandchildren's school for years - but sadly due to Covid those plans were cancelled.
But the joyous pair were undeterred by the setback and decided to go "all out" with this year's home decorations.
Their street in Leeds, West Yorks., has now been renamed "Candy Lane" and features thousands of magical Christmas lights as well as a sweet shop for children to enjoy.
Their home is now bursting with bright colours and dazzling lights - which they hope will lift people's moods during the Yuletide month.
The grandmother-of-21 said she spent a couple of hours each day for more than a month crafting her Christmas creations - including massive polystyrene candy canes, gingerbread men, snowmen and nutcrackers.
But said it was all worth it to see the smiles on children's faces when they pass by, who she says have "been through enough".
May, from Garforth, near Leeds, said: "We wanted to bring the magic of Christmas because it's so important.
"Seeing people smile means the world to me and seeing all of the kids looking so happy has been an overwhelming feeling.
"For me, it's a labour of love and we've been working on all of the decorations for about a month.
"The shop lights up - it's just beautiful.
"I come from a big family and we were very poor so when Christmas came around it was an amazing time we always cherished.
"I wanted to do something nice for the kids, because we've all had a tough year but it's been incredibly tough for the children as well.
"We know kids love a sweet shop so we thought we'd make one in our street and turn it into a real life Candy Lane for everyone to enjoy.
"It's magical for the kids who've really been through enough." The couple have been isolating at home due to the pandemic and wanted to use their time productively while locked down.
May converted her greenhouse in the back of her garden into a craft room where she carefully worked on her eye-catching decorations.
She made everything herself, with the help of her husband Rod, including the massive door and window, and the hundreds of massive candy canes made from polystyrene.
She said: "I've got a greenhouse in the back and I've turned it into my very own craft room.
"Everything we've made ourselves.
The door and window are made from PVC glass and wood.
"And I think people really appreciate the fact we've made everything ourselves.
"Hundreds of neighbours have come to see the house because it looks so bright and cheerful - people seem to really love it.
"Seeing everyone's reaction has made it all worth it, and made me feel all warm inside."
