The residents of Kilgetty's St. Mary's Place triumphed over Saturday night's wet weather and shone through the darkness when they switched on their spectacular display of Christmas illuminations. The rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of a large crowd of people who joined in a grand countdown, before cheering as the village's own 'Mr. Christmas', Peter Thomas, sounded an air-horn to signal the lighting-up ceremony. Peter and his wife Audrey have once again decked their home with over 400 sets of fairy lights and festive motifs and figures to create a wonderful winter wonderland. Not to be outdone, their 12 neighbours have also joined in the fun to create one of the most magnificent displays of Christmas lights in the county and indeed probably Wales. Among the new attractions this year is a gigantic statue of Shrek and one of Princess Fiona, which were created for the Llangwm Scarecrow Festival by David and Andrew Mathias, but have now been purchased to keep guard over the Kilgetty festive homes. "We had an absolutely brilliant night," Audrey told the Observer afterwards. "Everyone has added extra lights this year and the displays are absolutely great," she added. Father Christmas was also in attendance and distributed sweets, purchased with a donation from Kilgetty's fish and chip shop, while another hit was the sparkling showman's engine brought along by Richard Scourfield, of Bartlett Engineering, of Sageston. And after five nights, the Yuletide exhibition had raised £1,260 for charity. Over the last three years, the residents have donated the fantastic sum of £24,230 for good causes, and this year they are hoping to collect another magnificent amount, which will be shared between Air Ambulance Wales and Macmillan Nurses. "Four pilots from the Air Ambulance and representatives from Macmillan Nurses came to the switch-on and they just could not believe it," said Audrey, "so we are hoping to be able to raise bumper sums for them." Children are also able to post their letters to Father Christmas in a special postbox at the entrance to the estate. And thanks to Father Christmas's special helper, Donna, of K. P. Thomas, all the letters received will receive a personal reply, so please children, remember to include your full address. Once again, the lights extravaganza has caught the eye of national television companies, with crews from both Channel Four's Richard and Judy show and HTV visiting this week. FOOTNOTE: Father Christmas has been enjoying reading and replying to lots of letters this week, but unfortunately he has received some without addresses. He is anxious to trace Matilda and Boris Suffolk, Owen, Robert and Amber, and Ashton. So if you know the children, please contact K. P. Thomas and Son, Fuel Merchants, so they can forward the addresses to him.