A GRIEVING man in Poole has decided to put up his Christmas decorations a month early in remembrance of his late father.

Gavin Mannering lost his dad, Ian, in June due to organ failure, aged 65.

A huge fan of Christmas, Ian Mannering would always put on an extravagant light display at his home in Poole, where he lived his whole life.

Gavin therefore decided to give his father, who worked as a tyre fitter before retiring early due to health concerns, a fitting tribute with a display of his own at his house in Canford Heath.

“He was the life and soul of our family," said Gavin. "He had been suffering for a few years and, in the end, his kidneys packed up.

“He was supposed to go on dialysis but because of the pandemic and the lockdown, he was unable to receive treatment.

“My dad was a really big fan of Christmas – it was his favourite time of year. He used to put up a Christmas display for me, my sisters and my brother when we were younger so I thought that the best way to honour his memory would be to continue the tradition.”

Having started putting up his decorations at the end of September, Gavin has recently completed his display, which features more than 2,000 lights in his house and front garden in Dewlish Close.

Not only has Gavin’s display been an emotive tribute to his father, but he hopes it has helped to bring some festive joy and cheer to the Canford Heath community.

“I had never really been one for DIY and I had to build the displays from scratch, but I am really pleased with how it has fallen into place,” Gavin said.

“Everyone in the block where I live has said that they really love it.

“Someone came up to me on Tuesday when I was testing the lights out and said thank you for the display. I told them about my father, and they said that it looked amazing and that they really appreciated it.”

Due to the ongoing pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Gavin’s initial plans to take donations for the lights display to raise money for a kidney disease charity have not materialised this year.

However, he says that he will now produce a Christmas lights display every year to remember his father, who was much-loved by his wife, four children and three grandchildren.

“I am very proud with how it has turned out, and I like to think my dad is looking down on me and is proud of the display too."