Torvill and Dean to switch on family's final display

Tony Swift said 30,000 people came to see the Christmas lights display last year

Ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are set to switch on a long-lasting Christmas lights display in Nottinghamshire for the final time.

After raising £250,000 for charity and bringing the festive spirit to Laurel Crescent in Nuthall for the last 22 years, Tony and Wendy Swift said 2025 would be the last time they put up their Christmas display, which is seen by thousands each year.

Mr Swift said he was honoured that the Olympic gold medallists would be coming along to switch on the display for the final time on Sunday.

"When we found out they were coming, we were amazed, just totally amazed they're going to be coming to turn the lights on for us," he said.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be turning on the lights this Sunday

Over the last two decades, Mr Swift has raised more than £250,000 for the Hayward House Hospice and When You Wish Upon a Star charity.

Mr Swift said When You Wish Upon a Star were the ones that organised for Torvill and Dean to come along and turn on the lights.

"Both my wife and myself are honoured," he said.

Crowds gathered when the lights were switched on last November

Mr Swift, 66, said he knew the "time would come" to stop putting on the Christmas lights display.

"We are apprehensive, sad and joyful, but we knew the time would come when it would end.

"To reach a quarter of a million pounds was a good time to bow out," said Mr Swift.

"I know it sounds selfish, but we're getting on a bit and we need to visit friends, family and have a few trips away."

Mr Swift said he was honoured and amazed that Torvill and Dean would be turning on the lights for the final time

Mr Swift, who usually starts preparing the display eight weeks before the switch-on, said he had begun particularly early this time.

"We started in June. We want to go out in style," he said.

"We are 99.5% done. I've just got a little Christmas tree to put up and some lights and that's it."

Without giving too much away, Mr Swift said he had added three new displays to this year's display.

"We have done some different displays this year and I'm just hoping the weather holds out so we can get a good turnout," he said.

"We want it to be a surprise when people turn up, but I'm quite chuffed with what we have done with them.

"We've done a couple of test runs and everything's running smoothly."