| Last year saw a dramatic increase in the number of houses in the Newbury area competing to have the best lightshow. This Christmas promises to be even more spectacular, with some specialist outlets reporting that they have already sold out of some of their more popular displays.
The craze is believed to have started in the UK following the video release of the film 'National Lampoons Christmas Vacation', and has gathered momentum every year since.
Traditionally in the UK, Christmas light displays have been the province of the local town councils. Now some houses are adorned with enough fairy lights to ring the equator. | 
