Scrooge bans family’s beloved Christmas lights display from the block over ‘slippery grass’

By Daniel Jae Webb via SWNS

A family who have covered their home in Christmas lights for over 20 years say they have now been banned over health and safety fears - including 'slippery grass.'

The Cliffords have spent two decades spreading cheer in the village of Feock in Cornwall with elaborate illuminations over and outside their house.

Their stunning festive display on their garden and a communal area has lit up their cul-de-sac since 1996, with people coming from miles away to see it.

It includes a version of the famous Christmas Coca Cola truck, Santa's sleigh, a fairy castle and Rudolph.

Roger Clifford, 73, wife Elizabeth, 71, and son Ryan, 28, took a year off last year because of the pandemic.

But this year they say a housing officer for Cornwall Housing, which owns the surrounding land, visited and told them they can't do it anymore.

Roger says the officer cited "ridiculous health and safety reasons slippery grass."

Fuming Roger said: "We have had no problems from anyone else previously but a new housing officer has come in and told us no.

''We are just wound-up really and gobsmacked."

Cornwall Housing is part of Cornwall Council who have been approached for a comment.

Locals were fuming.

"The council worker must be on this year's naughty list so he's spoiling it for everyone else too,"Helen Dunn wrote.

Lorraine Harris said: "What is the matter with people. Stand up for your rights. Don't let them win. Start a campaign."

Liz Roseveare commented: "Bloody jobsworth councillor, miserable git. Put the lights up, I'm sure everyone will support them."

Barry Clift said: ''You must put your decs up and defy this jumped councillor and the council. If they don't give you a good enough reason to hell with them.

''The councillor should be named and shamed. If the reason turns out that it might offend certain people it's our Christmas not theirs. Please put them up!''

Kaz Woodhouse said: 'I’d put it up anyway, what are they going to do?''

Helen Parkyn added: ''Seriously ..... I'd tell the said housing officer he'll be the new fairy on the tree if he doesn't back off. How utterly ridiculous.''

Sonia Penny said: ''What a grotty housing officer surprised he hasn’t cancelled Christmas totally.

''I would put it up as everyone loves it and that those around love it. Wonder if he goes around to every house telling them they can’t do decorations etc. A real life scrounge.''

The Clifford family's lights in 2017. (Clifford family via SWNS)

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Ann Fitzpatrick said: ''What a killjoy, I'd still put up.''

Tracey Bickle: ''The world has gone mad 😡 it’s once a year for goodness sake.''

Linda Bode added: ''Mr jobsworth Scrooge.''

Gayle Foster said: ''This makes me so angry 😡 and extremely sad!.''

Kevin Tregunna said: ''Nanny state - the world revolves around health and safety.''

But Gary Luxon said: "Why do people do this crap every year? Utterly pointless waste of electricity."