Couple stop Christmas lights after vandalism

Malcolm and Wendy Molloy have decided to call it a day after "a year of catastrophe"

A couple whose Christmas lights became an annual attraction in their own right have decided to call it day following "a year of catastrophe".

Malcolm and Wendy Molloy had decorated their house in Finstall, Worcestershire for about 22 years, while raising money for Primrose Hospice and Birmingham Children's Hospital.

But in 2024, after returning from a weekend away in London, the couple found that their lights had been "trashed" or "removed".

Mr Molloy said: "With the stress and everything else we've decided to call it a day."

He added: "We've had a good 22 years and we've enjoyed doing it and in a sense you do feel a little bit guilty."

At the time the lights were damaged, Mr Molloy said he had spent up to £1,500 on new lights to add to the display but, due to the damage caused, decided to spend a further £5,000 to continue the tradition.

Asked how the lights started, he said: "I was just a big kid at heart and this was our first house together so we decided to put a few lights up.

"I got a bit carried away and someone said to me at the time, 'I don't understand why you don't do it for charity'.

"I went to the Primrose Hospice and I went to the Children's Hospital and we went from there."

In 22 years, the couple believe they have raised about £150,000 to £160,000 for charity

Mr Molloy said he estimated he had raised about £150,000 to £160,000 for his two selected charities.

"It's a very small amount in what these charities need to survive but we've enjoyed doing it, and we've enjoyed the pleasure it's given everybody," he said.

"And for me, I think it's brilliant that kids have grown up, had kids and brought them to the lights."

Gabrielle Grubb, the fundraising manager at Primrose Hospice, described the couple as "just wonderful people".

"The time and the effort it takes to put those lights up every year and it always looks absolutely incredible," she said.

"And all of our community appreciate the hard work they've put in. We will be sad to see it go but we've created some wonderful memories."