CHRISTMAS has been and gone but several charities will feel the benefits of one festive fundraiser well into this year.

That’s because residents in Nayling Road, Braintree, managed to raise more than £5,600 for charity last month thanks to their annual Christmas lights displays.

The massive total is nearly double what the residents raised the year before.

More than 50 homes took part in the special event which has become known locally as The Famous Nayling Road Lights.

Charlotte Burt, who was one of the residents to take part, said: “It was incredible, we had hundreds of people coming along each night.

“In the end we had more than 50 houses taking part and we’ve managed to raise more than £5,600.

“That’s almost double what we raised last year so a huge thank you to everyone who came along and saw the lights.

“We do it because we love it - my husband was thinking about the lights for this year before the lights had even come down.”

Broken down, £1,500 was raised for Farleigh Hospice and £1,300 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

Marie Curie will get £1,100, the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance will receive £806 and £606 was raised for Bloodwise.

Team Angus is set to benefit from £250 and Headway Essex will get £84.