THEY'VE done it again - and this time a famous face turned up to help launch it.

Monica and Rob Teague’s festive illuminations at their home in Bridport which they put up to entertain families and also to support local causes has become something of a Christmas tradition.

This year however TV star and local west Dorset resident Martin Clunes was on hand to turn on their Christmas lights.

Dorset Echo: Christmas lights in White Close, Bradpole. Picture: Monica Teague

As patron of Weldmar Hospicecare the Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly star was delighted to do the honours, knowing funds raised this year will be going to the end of life care charity.

He was one of hundreds who turned out for the switch-on at the beginning of the festive period.

Mrs Teague said: “It’s something we have done for eight or nine years and this year we were doing it for Weldmar, of course Martin Clunes is a patron of Weldmar.

“He said he would come along and turn them on, which he did along with around 350 other people.

“It was a good night, all the sausage rolls, mince pies and mulled wine went.”

Mrs Teague says the actor, ‘who is just like anyone else', stayed for around two hours posing for selfies and talking with people on the night.

Having supported Julia’s House, Dorset Air Ambulance and last year Dementia Friendly Bridport, the couple opted to back Weldmar again in light of their friend’s challenge.

Mrs Teague said: “A local woman we know is to do a Sahara trek in the spring to support Weldmar and we’d thought we’d choose Weldmar to support her and the charity."

Despite the recent stormy weather the couple have not lost any of their lights which takes Mr Teague two weeks to put up after a year’s planning to keep things new each time.

And while you may think it may add a few pennies to the electricity bill that is not the case.

Mrs Teague said: “We have got solar panels and the lights are all LED so they do not use much but it’s all for a good cause.

Dorset Echo: Christmas lights in White Close, Bradpole. Picture: Monica Teague

“This year my husband has built a merry-go-round Santa and children can press a button and he moves on a track and there's a snow machine.”

Last year the couple managed to raise around £400 for charity, without the opening night due to restrictions at the time, and they hope to raise as much as they can this year.

Families are invited to go along and see them - the lights will be switching on every day at 4pm up to January 6. Donations can be made in a collection box at the site. The house is at 2 White Close, Bradpole.