THE festive lights of a New Forest street selected for the Cadbury's Christmas television advert have been officially turned on for the season.

Residents of Byron Road, New Milton, have been decorating their homes for Christmas for the past 12 years.

To date, they've raised around £45,000 for a number of charities - this year they're looking to take this running total through the £50,000 mark.

Sunday's event, attended by more than 1,000 people, started at 4pm and featured live music, singing, hot drinks and traditional mince pies.

Residents from across New Milton and further afield gather along the road, for what has become a firm favourite on the festive calendar.

In years gone by the street has featured on news bulletins in Australia, Germany and France.

Jason Dean, son of organiser Ged Hollyoake, told the Daily Echo: "It was absolutely packed again this year.

"My dad started with about 15 or 20 people with just a CD player outside and it just grew and grew and grew.

"Tonight we should raise around £1,500 in donations. There are around 20,000 lightbulbs in the display.

"Dad had a heart attack a couple of years ago and it was nearly called off, but we realised it would have done him more harm than good.

"It costs around £300 in electricity a year but dad won't allow a single penny of this to come out of the money donated for charity. He foots the bill, and we are sponsored for public liability insurance. So not a penny comes out of the charity pot."

Earlier this month a television production crew spent the day filming for the Cadbury's advert in Byron Road.

Jason said his dad's house was one used as a background for the piece.

The advert features the story of a boy who visits a road where all the houses are lit up with exception of one, which he helps to fix.

"Over the years, we have had so much media coverage for the road," said Jason. "My dad loves the attention that it attracts as it puts a smile on everyone's faces."