A Charlton mum is adorning her home in festive lights for the third year running to raise money for Epilepsy Research UK.

Following her father’s death from the disorder in 2009, 38-year-old Michaela Swadling-Stickler has made it her mission to have bigger and better lights every year in an effort to raise funds for the charity.

She said: “I’d always done small lights but wanted to bring to light how not many people can appreciate how devastating epilepsy can be.

“It wasn’t as big to start with but I’ve tried to add every year to give people more of a wow factor.

“Last year I raised £9,740 for Epilepsy Research UK. The money goes to any area and it’s a great thing.

“I welcome people to come and walk around the garden, there are mince pies and a marquee, and mulled wine every night.”

Ms Swadling-Stickler’s display is made up of tens of thousands of lights, and her home is open seven evenings a week from 5pm.

Donations can be made to her cause via Just Giving at www.charltonlights.co.uk Epilepsy Research UK supports the work of scientists and clinicians throughout the UK, who are investigating all aspects of epilepsy in both adults and children. They are especially looking at what causes epilepsy, who gets it, what goes on in the brain during a seizure, and safer drugs and better surgical techniques to treat it.