This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bristol/8386069.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| DIY man's festive lights honour | DIY man's festive lights honour |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A DIY store worker has turned on the lights in a Somerset town - rather than inviting Hollywood star and local homeowner Johnny Depp. | |
| Nigel Parker, 21, who works at Homebase in Portishead was chosen for the honour following a campaign on Facebook. | Nigel Parker, 21, who works at Homebase in Portishead was chosen for the honour following a campaign on Facebook. |
| "I was amazed and delighted to be asked," said Mr Parker. "It's just a privilege and not something I'd ever thought about before." | "I was amazed and delighted to be asked," said Mr Parker. "It's just a privilege and not something I'd ever thought about before." |
| He was joined by three members of Bristol City Football Club. | |
| The players, Liam Fontaine, Nicky Maynard and Cole Skuse, were feted by a large crowd who also chanted "Nigel, Nigel" as Mr Parker turned on the lights. | |
| 'Local personality' | 'Local personality' |
| "It's such a high accolade and to be compared with someone like Johnny Depp is amazing," said Mr Parker. | "It's such a high accolade and to be compared with someone like Johnny Depp is amazing," said Mr Parker. |
| "I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and supported me," he added. | "I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and supported me," he added. |
| His name was put forward during a meeting of the town's Christmas lights committee. | His name was put forward during a meeting of the town's Christmas lights committee. |
| "He's such a pleasant chap that people queue up to be served by him," said Barry Randall, treasurer of the town's Christmas Lights Committee. | "He's such a pleasant chap that people queue up to be served by him," said Barry Randall, treasurer of the town's Christmas Lights Committee. |
| "It was suggested we should have a local personality as we like to honour local people who've made a mark in the community," said Mr Randall. | "It was suggested we should have a local personality as we like to honour local people who've made a mark in the community," said Mr Randall. |
| "He's always got a smile and a nice word for you." | "He's always got a smile and a nice word for you." |
| Celebrities who have turned on Portishead's Christmas lights recently include Carol Vorderman in 2007 who has a house in the town and Chris Harris in 2008 who is well known locally for playing pantomime dames. | Celebrities who have turned on Portishead's Christmas lights recently include Carol Vorderman in 2007 who has a house in the town and Chris Harris in 2008 who is well known locally for playing pantomime dames. |
| The Christmas lights committee has to raise about £14,000 each year to put on the display. | The Christmas lights committee has to raise about £14,000 each year to put on the display. |
| There are 94 Christmas trees over the shops and one large tree at the far end of the High Street at Gale's Farm. | There are 94 Christmas trees over the shops and one large tree at the far end of the High Street at Gale's Farm. |
| The power bill for the lights is about £2,000. | The power bill for the lights is about £2,000. |