A KARAOKE bar has been transformed into a winter wonderland to bring Christmas cheer to a city street.

Fed up of not having Christmas lights on St James's Street in Brighton, the owners of Poison Ivy took festive matters into their own hands.

Staff painstakingly hung 50,000 fairy lights across the tiny bar - which has been renamed Santaland for the duration of the Christmas period.

Every possible surface is filled with glitter, tinsel, baubles, banners and sparkly beads.

Giant candy canes rest in all the corners of the venue below snowflakes.

There is also a glowing snowmen and numerous bearded Father Christmas decorations.

On entering the much-loved bar, visitors step through the door which is decked with boughs of holly.

It is then into a snow-covered log cabin with reindeer guards manning the door.

Inside the wonderland are Santa's little helpers and Christmas crackers aplenty.

At the bar there is even a festive-themed drinks menu including Christmas pudding and Cadbury's Roses shots.

Owner James Green said the makeover had been so popular that up to 400 people had to be turned away on Saturday night because the bar was full.

He said: "This is the first year we've done it and it's already been a success.

"We don't get any Christmas lights in St James's Street so we thought we would do something about it and try something a bit different just to spread some festive cheer to the area.

"Fitting the 50,000 fairy lights into a the room was a bit tough and took a long time to put together but it looks good and everyone seems to be enjoying it. Are customers in particular have liked coming to try out the themed drinks menu.

"We're really grateful to the fire brigade, police and council as they have all been very good and helped us."

Santaland will be open until January 3.