A Bradford dad has hit the switch again to deck his home in all its festive glory and raise more money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The house, in All Alone Road, Idle, is home to Peter and Clare Downes, and their children Danny, 15, and nine-year-old Patrick.

This is the sixth year Mr Downes, who runs a cleaning business from home, has decorated it with everything from twinkly snowmen to moving reindeer, parachuting Santas and penguins and he is hoping his 2012 display will help him top the £10,000 mark.

Since his father, Timmy, died of lung cancer, he has used his festive display to raise money for Marie Curie’s hospice in Bradford.

This year’s switch-on ceremony was a quieter than usual affair said the 44-year-old, who had hoped to get Manchester United player Tom Cleverley or magician Dynamo, both from Bradford, to do the honours.

“Unfortunately, they were both out of town so we just flicked the switch ourselves. Last year we had it live on BBC1’s The One Show which was fantastic.

“I’m going to start getting organised for next year’s lights a lot sooner. We’d love to have Dynamo do it – then it really would be magical.”

He added: “Despite the lack of celebrity this year we’ve still been pulling in the crowds who’ve been coming and leaving donations with us.

“There’s lots of faces who have been before, but we’ve had new visitors too and of course it’s going to be here all through Christmas so we hope people keep on coming.”

The latest addition to this year’s dazzling display are new lights up on the 30ft conifers next to the house.

“We needed a cherry picker to get them up there,” said Mr Downes.

Marie Curie community fundraiser Lucy Burnett said: “Christmas is always a difficult time of the year when people are unwell and thanks to generosity of supporters like Peter the hospice is able to continue to provide care and support for Bradford families over the festival period.”