Steve McGawley, 43, used his fairy lights to create a penis and spell out a rude word on his house

A festive prankster was arrested and fined after complaints about his 'offensive' Christmas lights display.

Father-of-four Steve McGawley, 43, used his fairy lights to create a penis and spell out a very rude word on his house in Blackpool.

He later illuminated a large bell image followed by the word 'end'.

He was arrested on Monday after refusing to take down the display.

He filmed his exchange with police and later posted the video on social media.

In the video an officer says: 'You can either take it down or you can be charged with a public order offence.'

Mr McGawley initially refused to answer the door to the police as he said he did not have any clothes on, but agreed to meet with them face to face after the two officers threatened to forcibly enter his home.

A female police officer can then be heard saying: 'Why don't you put some clothes on?', to which he replied: 'What for?'

He added: 'I'm not taking the lights down. It's too late to take them down. I've took them down I don't know how many times now.'

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The father-of-four was arrested on Monday after refusing to take down the 'offensive' display

He then denied the lights on his wall depicted a penis, and insisted the decorations were 'festive'. After around 10 minutes of arguing, Mr McGawley was arrested for committing a public order offence and issued with a penalty notice.

Mr McGawley has now removed the offensive decorations and apologised to neighbours after police intervened. He has now used the lights to spell out 'I'm sorry'.

He said: 'I think it's way over the top. I was only having a laugh with the lights. It's a bit of a joke really. There are proper criminals out there they could be catching.

'I was in my bed when they came round and knocked on the door. It must have been about 11.30pm.

'They said they'd had complaints, but nobody has said anything to me. Apparently it's offensive. If people don't like it, they don't have to look at it.

'I did have one up saying 'c**t' but they made me take it down the night before. Then they've come round again on Monday and apparently it's still anti-social.

'It's the first time I've put them up because it's the first year I've been home alone.

'I can't believe someone's actually complained. It's the week before Christmas and there are people getting mugged and robbed out there.

Mr McGawley, from Blackpool, has now removed the offensive decorations and apologised to neighbours after police officers intervened. Now, he has used the lights to spell out 'I'm sorry'

'I just got the lights from the local shop and arranged them myself. They were quite artistic I thought. The first I knew of any complaint was when the police came round.'

The lights attracted mixed reactions from local people after pictures of the display were posted on social media.

John Madden commented: 'It is unacceptable; children will go past this house and see this and think this is acceptable. It isn't.'

Peter Allen-Rogers said: 'What does amaze me is some people find this acceptable.

Mr McGawley initially refused to answer the door to the police (pictured) as he said he did not have any clothes on

'If this was my neighbour it wouldn't be up for long. What is the point of it? All it does is show how low morality in this country can go. A lack of respect for neighbours and people in general.'

However, some people saw the funny side, with one amused onlooker even suggesting setting up a fund-raiser to pay Mr McGawley's fine on his behalf.

Ric Hulme said: 'I think it's quite creative.'If you have your kids up late enough to see them lit up then you're a bad parent. Watershed for decorations should be a thing. After hours then you can't complain.'

Nigel James Proffitt said: 'We should do a whip around for his fine. Its £90; if everyone who was so annoyed at it put in £10 and those that loved it put in £1 we'd soon be there.'

A police spokesman said: 'On Monday, December 19, officers attended an address on Rodwell Walk following a number of complaints in relation to fairy lights on the outside of the house.

'Despite attempts to engage with the occupant the lights were not taken down and a 43-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and issued with a penalty notice for disorder.