A US driver’s attempt to spread some festive cheer by festooning his car in Christmas lights ended with him getting in trouble with the law.

Brandon Wooden, from Hardeeville, South Carolina, has decorated his Ford Taurus with close to 1,000 lights over the last five years to “spread the glow” in the lead up to Christmas.

The train conductor, 23, said as well as bringing cheer to strangers he also puts on the display, which is powered by a converter inside his car, for his young son.

“I just like to see people's reactions, spread a little love, joy,” he said, speaking with KSLA News. “I call it ‘spread the glow.’”

“People usually follow me for a few miles, videotape me, Snapchat, stop me and tell me to pull over on the side of the road to take a picture. I do it, it's awesome."

However on Monday the stunt ended with Mr Wooden being pulled over by officers who gave him a ticket and a $232.50 (£173) fine.