The National Grid must be feeling the strain thanks to Sussex's most festive householders.

Town and city centre illuminations across Sussex have been put to shame by the efforts of residents in their own front gardens.

While the National Grid might be feeling the strain, those bold enough to trip the light fantastic have received nothing but compliments from passers-by.

In College Road, Upper Beeding, five houses in a row have been decked with a display of lights and decorations.

The families who helped with the decorations celebrated their success with a party on Saturday.

In Lewes, Peter Marchant spent two weeks putting up the lights and creating a display outside his home in Queen's Road.

Peter, 20, said: "I started just before December 1 and did not finish until Friday.

"I bought the bamboo reindeer but I built and painted the sleigh and drilled holes for the lights.

"I did the display last year but without as many lights. This year I have gone a bit mad.

"I have a little niece and she loves it. All my neighbours like it too but I have had some vandalism so I had to repair that."

Peter, who also dons a Santa suit, said: "The only problem is it will probably take me two weeks to take down again."

Al Borchardt, 64, said the display he created with his 18-year-old daughter Melissa helped bring out the "magic of Christmas".

Their home in Heathy Brow, Peacehaven, has been a festive talking point for many years, boasting more than 4,000 lights.

Al said: "We have been putting the external lights up for about 15 years.

"About seven years ago we added the reindeer and sleigh to the roof.

"People come especially to see the display and we get Christmas cards from people all over saying they enjoy the lights."

Giant candles, candy sticks and a huge tree are found in another impressive display in Heron Way, Horsham.

Theresa Lear created the illuminations at her parents' home and her son Cameron clearly approves.

Meanwhile, Carole Gillingham said her illuminated home in Bexhill Road, Woodingdean, not only brightened up people's days but also slowed down traffic.

Carole, who had help with the display from her nine-year-old son Stephen, said: "We get a lot of people stopping and cars slow down as drivers look.

"We do this every year and try to make each one bigger than the last year.

"Inside, we have a giant Father Christmas and a little girl of about two was looking at the lights with her nan and I asked if she wanted to come inside and see the Father Christmas."