WITH Christmas now just over a week away, people in Herefordshire have been getting ready for their festive celebrations.

Christmas lights have been popping up throughout the county, from town centres to the front gardens of homes.

These pictures from Hereford Times readers show the colour and delight that festive displays bring.

Hereford Times: One of the Christmas lights in Bromyard, made by the volunteers One of the Christmas lights in Bromyard, made by the volunteers

Hereford Times: Belinda Olsen shared this photo of the Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street Belinda Olsen shared this photo of the Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street

Hereford Times: A post box in Credenhill. Picture: Carole Smith A post box in Credenhill. Picture: Carole Smith

Hereford Times: Inga Sipcenoka’s house decorated for Christmas Inga Sipcenoka’s house decorated for Christmas

Hereford Times: Jon Simpson’s picture looking down a festive Church Street, Hereford Jon Simpson’s picture looking down a festive Church Street, Hereford

Hereford Times: Kayla Davies has light-up inflatable decorations Kayla Davies has light-up inflatable decorations

Hereford Times: Old Market, Hereford. Picture: Magdalena Bieniek-Górska 13325836Old Market, Hereford. Picture: Magdalena Bieniek-Górska 13325836

Hereford Times: A new lease of life for Kington’s lights. Picture: Michele Griffiths A new lease of life for Kington’s lights. Picture: Michele Griffiths

Hereford Times: Nathan Hodges captured cars driving past Hereford’s lights Nathan Hodges captured cars driving past Hereford’s lights

Hereford Times: Wayne Morris shared this picture of a well-decorated house Wayne Morris shared this picture of a well-decorated house

Hereford Times: Yvonne White’s Christmas lights at her house in Bye Street, Ledbury Yvonne White’s Christmas lights at her house in Bye Street, Ledbury

In Ledbury, with what is now a favourite fixture of the festive season, Yvonne White has lit up her garden to score some funding for local football.

As is now a tradition for the Bye Street resident, her stunning display of Christmas cheer will help to boost the coffers of both Ledbury Town FC and Ledbury Swifts Junior FC.

In previous years, people from as far afield as Wales have travelled into town to admire the garden and leave a voluntary contribution for local sport. In previous years, Mrs White has been able to hand over hundreds of pounds to the clubs.

Football is close to Mrs White’s heart, because a grandchild plays for the Swifts and other members of her family are also involved with the local football scene.

A club spokesperson said: “Ledbury Town Football Club would like to extend a Santa-sized thank you to Mrs Yvonne White, whose annual magnificent display of Christmas lights outside her home in Ledbury is once again raising voluntary contributions for both Ledbury Town FC and Ledbury Swifts Junior Football Club.

“Many thanks Yvonne for once again making such a generation gesture to help support the futures of both of the town’s football clubs.”

Mrs White, who ran the Bye Street chip shop for 15 years, first developed an affection for Christmas lights back in 1976, and her seasonal hobby has grown from there.

Thanks to improving technology over the years, the electricity bill isn’t much of a problem; with the use of modern LED lights Mrs White says she has got the bill down to about £25 for the Christmas season.

She said: “It’s just lovely, seeing the children so excited; and it makes you feel excited yourself. But older people also ask me when the lights are going up.

“They bring seasonal cheer to everyone, regardless of age.”

As the renown of the display has grown over the years, visitors have travelled for miles to enjoy them — including from as far away as Kidderminster and Newport.