A GENEROUS couple has brightened up an emergency service's chances of survival by raising more than £1,300 through its Christmas display.

Peter and Gwen Hope have raised £1,381 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance through their Christmas light display outside their home on Hawksworth Drive, Menston.

The pair put up more than 3,500 lights outside their home and placed collection boxes in their garden so onlookers could contribute to the charity if they wished.

They have created the fantastic light display for many years but only in the past two years have they raised money for the struggling Air Ambulance.

Mr Hope said: "We would like to thank the public for all their support, especially one well-wisher who gave us an anonymous cheque for £100 after reading about us in the Wharfedale Observer.

"We are hoping to do something similar next year, but we are getting older and we have to take every year as it comes. It rained a lot this year and I think if it had been better weather more people would have come.

"It has taken me three days to take them down and three more days to pack them all away into boxes and put them in to the loft.

"I did the outside and my wife concentrated on taking down the illuminated decorations inside.

"It has all been worthwhile this year considering last time we raised £577 for the Air Ambulance and we have doubled the amount this year.

"The charity is really desperate for money and it is very important that we help to keep it going."

The couple also had a nativity in a stable, which Mr Hope had built himself with figures of camels, donkeys and the three wise men which were more than two feet tall.

The 76-year-old added: "We do it for pleasure.

"We do not take a penny of the money for electricity or anything, it all goes to the charity.

"I must thank the Wharfedale Observer for its help because it made all the difference in people realising it was there."

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance costs £1million to run each year and the bulk of the money is met through support from the public and businesses.

The service is desperate for funding and needs to raise £380,000 by the end of March.

l For more information on the Air Ambulance call 0845 1206060.