A WELL-known Christmas lights display has raised hundreds of pounds for intensive care staff.

Julie and Neil Jesse once again took part in the annual event in Nayling Road, Braintree, last month.

It sees more than 50 residents in the road light up their homes with festive decorations.

The displays attract visitors from across the county and those taking part often choose a charity to raise money for each year.

But amid the ongoing pandemic, Mr and Mrs Jesse have instead opted to hand the £510 they raised to the ICU unit at Broomfield Hospital.

They said: “This year has of course been different and some of the residents decided they should not encourage public to the estate.

“But others, including ourselves, decided to go ahead with a smaller display that children and families could look at which we were all able to drive around safely.

“We have been in touch with the matron on ICU and it has been agreed that she will receive the money so that the staff may enjoy a get-together celebration when the time is right for them all.

“We do hope in some small way as representatives of the local public that this may happen once we are out the other side of this pandemic.”