(Image: STUART BOULTON)
A self-proclaimed 'Santa Claus of County Durham' has gone all out for Christmas, transforming his home with around 4,000 lights and a host of festive inflatables... in October.
While most people are still thinking about Halloween, the family on the festively-named Holly Terrace in Howden-le-Wear have already got Christmas covered, complete with an inflatable gingerbread man, snowman, Grinch and Santa Claus.
The early festive spectacular has already been catching the attention of passers-by, with drivers honking their horns and children stopping to take in the display.
The house in Holly Terrace, Howden le Wear with its Christmas decorations. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
The family said their son’s excitement after spotting Santa on TV prompted them to get the decorations out earlier than usual.
They said: "We usually set up pretty early anyways after Christmas but after our son got excited after seeing Santa on the telly in an ad or something he kept asking when we were going to put them up, so we just thought let's do it now.
"We are a Christmas household and don't do Halloween at all, we say all this is keeping the ghosts away for Halloween.
The house in Holly Terrace, Howden le Wear with its Christmas decorations. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
"We did a display last year but not as big as this year and we just thought lets go all out.
"We have went a bit overboard we have around 4,000 lights on the roof and a full-size gingerbread, snowman, grinch and Santa Claus and the rest.
"The whole house is now covered. It's been nice seeing everyone pass and honk their horns and children smiling at it, I don't know whether people are watching in shock or awe, but its nice for people to see and bring some joy."
Despite the thousands of lights and larger-than-life decorations, the family do not yet know exactly how much their festive extravaganza will cost to run.
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However, they do not expect it to make much difference to their bills, as the display is only switched on between 6pm and 9pm.
Whether it is the earliest Christmas display in the North East remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Santa has already arrived in Howden-le-Wear.
Have you seen anymore Christmas decorations around County Durham in October? Let us know below.