A MOTHER and son from Rezare, near Stoke Climsland, have again brightened up the small hamlet of about 20 houses with the bright Christmas lights they put up each year outside their home to raise money for charity.

Brenda Marks and her son Peter, who have both suffered from cancer, are collecting money for Cancer Research UK, and have so far raised £370 from people admiring the lights.

They hope to have raised at least £400 before they are taken down on January 1.

Peter, now 29, who was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was three years old and underwent a bone marrow transplant when he was eight, says putting up the lights each year is a good way of fundraising and bringing some Christmas cheer to the community.

'My mum has recovered from breast cancer and my dad Graham died seven years ago from a brain tumour,' he said. 'Thanks to the transplant, I am free of leukaemia, but I still have problems with my immunity system.

'Mum and I feel lucky that we have overcome cancer, which is why we like to put up the lights and raise money for Cancer Research UK.'

The lights were switched on with a party at the Mark's house attended by villagers.