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These Christmas tree lights have been turned on every year for 53 years

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Ross Shaddick from Plymouth, Devon, with his Christmas lights. (James Dadzitis via SWNS)

By Ed Cullinane via SWNS

Britain's oldest Christmas tree fairy lights have been turned on today (December 6) for the 53d consecutive year- without a single bulb ever being replaced.

The lights were bought for just £3 ($3) from Woolworths by Vina Shaddick in 1969,
but sadly she died in 2019 and left them to son Ross Farr-Semmens, 42.

Ross with his Christmas lights.(James Dadzitis via SWNS)

This year the lights were turned on by Ross in front of his new baby - Val's grandchild.

Every year he brings out the plastic tree adorned with the string of colorful illuminations and describes it as a tense moment to see if they will switch on.

Last year there was a brief moment of concern when the lights took a second to get going, but this year Ross says that he has carefully checked all the wiring for any nicks and faults, even consulting an electrician.

"It's an important new year for the lights and my family," said Ross, a music teacher.

"We've recently had the front room decorated, so the room has a new lease of life.

"There's been lots of additions this year. I got married to my amazing wife Ruth, and we've also had a newborn baby who's now eight months old.

''With mum buying them in 1969 it really is just amazing to be part of their continuing success and special place in the household helping us all to celebrate Christmas in style.

Ross with his Christmas lights.(James Dadzitis via SWNS)
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"Last year one of the lights did go out, but everyone sort of just froze and it came back on again.

"We've never needed to change a bulb, some people thought we had changed it once but we've never needed to change one - which is good because I've lost track of where the spares were.

"Though, since last year, a couple of people have been in touch who had some spares, and a lovely lady last year sent some through.

"But as of yet I've not needed to change any.

"It is literally magic that they can still be part of all the Christmas festivities."

The lights remain in-situ all year round on the tree for fear that they are too fragile to disassemble.

But as the festive season rolls round, the black bag over the 1970s tree is carefully removed revealing the sparkly artefacts.

Despite the longevity, Ross said he was not taking anything for granted in the future - saying he had spoken to electricians about how to keep them going.

Ross' 50-year-old Christmas lights. (SWNS)

"The wiring, we've very carefully checked to make sure there are no nicks on it," he said.

"We have been a little bit concerned about whether the wiring is too old now. I've spoken to an electrician about what to do very recently, and we're assured that so long as we've for the right fuze in it, it should be okay.

"So there is an element of safety involved.

"I was looking at whether I should change the wires, and just keeping the fairy lights, because the important thing is the actual lights.

"You can change the bulb, and this and that, but then at the same time if you change those and the wires - they're not really the same lights anymore are they and I'd feel like I'm cheating the 100-year dream.

"We never put them on unless we are there and they're out of reach of pets, and now small hands."

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