Join the Secret Elves to discover the best shopping deals and things to do this Christmas Sign me up and spread the Christmas cheer Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

In the corner of a sleepy Midland town is a property with such dazzling Christmas decorations that they’ve sparked UFO alerts.

The neon spectacular that glistens and pulsates on every outside wall of the Bridgnorth home can be seen from 19 MILES away.

And it’s led to reports that of close encounters in Shropshire.

But they’re of the Christmas kind.

Bilston-born Tony Rickards’ dynamic display includes a laser beam that pierces the winter sky, an LED tree, glinting panels and yards of rope lighting.

The overall effect is a slice of Las Vegas in the heart of English countryside.

When the big switch-on takes place, motorists queue along the road just to wonder at the seasonal treat.

Tony, who shares the house with wife Tina and grown-up children Michelle and George, has been adding to the light show ever since first festooning the country home in 1990.

But this year’s display has added significance. For the first time, business boss George and Tina have a grandchild.

Michelle’s 10-month-old son, Frank, is simply “amazed” by the tinsel transformation.

In 24 years, the family have had only one negative comment – from a man who complained the laser light shone into his bedroom.

And he lived close to Wolverhampton.

Tony said: “The display has grown year on year. I used to do it all myself, but I’m not getting any younger now, and need a bit of help.

“It takes between two and three days. We usually do it on the second week of December, but we were a bit late this year.

“When I started, not many homes did it. I can recall one street in Stourbridge, but people tell me ours’ is still the best.

“I think the laser light makes it unique.”

Some motorists who have spotted the beam mistakenly report an X-Files encounter.

“We’ve never had any disaster, but when there’s a gale there’s a bit of a problem,” Tony added.

Eight years ago, he took a break from his Christmas spectacular – and received a flood of calls from disappointed fans.

“I stopped because my kids were in their late teens,” he explained.

“But so many people rang, asking ‘Where are the illuminations?’.

“I’ve been asked about doing it for charity, but the problem is: which charity do you pick?”

The farthest the Bridgnorth illuminations have been seen is Bobbington, a village 19 miles away. Residents in Ditton Priors, 17 miles away, have also been treated to the seasonal shimmer.

“I’m very pleased with them,” added Tony, “and so are all the people who make a special journey to see them.”

Each year brings more visitors – and that’s hardly surprising.

The Rickards’ decorations are neon impossible to miss.