A GIANT glowing snowball, glittering snowflakes, and countless luminated Santas and reindeer are among the thousands of festive decorations lighting up homes across Wanstead and Woodford this Christmas.

Streets have been turned into dazzling rows of glittering colour created by families determined to inject a little fun and humour into the cold winter nights.

The Guardian decided to take a closer look at some of the most impressive illuminations - and to have a quick chat to the people who made them.

Our first stop was the home of John Whiteman and his wife Jean in Bressey Grove, South Woodford - which is bedecked in luminated Santa's and snowmen.

The grandfather-of-six, 76, has been lighting up his house at Christmas for nearly 20 years - and prides himself on his eyecatching delay.

He said: "I can't put as many up these days as I used to, partly because you can't get the bulbs anymore.

"But we've still managed to put up around a thousand lights. We do it for the grandchildren now, because they really love it.

"We used to put up 15-20,000 lights in the past. We were even in one of the national newspapers one year."

The next display to catch our eye was created by Richard Jenkins, at his home in Ray Lodge Park, Woodford Bridge.

The 40-year-old father-of-two - who is the caretaker for Ray Lodge Primary School - said his son Calum was thrilled when he rolled home the giant snowball which forms the centrepiece of his decorations.

He said: "He couldn't believe it. It's got a penguin, a reindeer and Father Christmas sticking out of it.

"He has invited friends round to see it.

"The children from the school love it too, so it's for them to enjoy aswell."

The Guardian found another winter wonderland at the home of youngster Joshua Hughes in Broadmead Road, Woodford Green - where a herd of white reindeers were busy grazing on the front lawn.

Connor and Erin Thompson were just as full of the Christmas spirit in Deepdene Close, Snaresbrook, where their granny Mary Brereton had covered her house in glittering lights.