A Sholing man has transformed his home into a winter wonderland to raise money for rough sleepers in the city.

Angelo Valla, 57, enjoys celebrating Christmas by making his home in Butts Road a beacon of festive lights for neighbours to enjoy.

He said: “What better way to spread the festive joy, than helping those that do not have the luxury of a warm bed at Christmas.

“One reason I did this was for my daughter, Stephanie, who is now 25, as when she was little she would beg me to buy a rough sleeper a drink or some food, whenever we passed someone on the streets.”

Angelo moved to Southampton from London last year and was inspired to raise money for the homeless after witnessing a kind exchange between two homeless people on Southampton high street.

The recruitment consultant said that one homeless person kindly asked the other if he would mind taking his spot next to the Tesco Express on the high street.

The other homeless person agreed, saying he had enough food and could see the other was more in need then he was.

He continued: “I had never seen such a heart-warming and kind interaction between two homeless people that are fighting just to get the very basics in life.

“This, and my daughter, is what inspired me to put up as many lights as I could fit onto my home and raise money for Southampton Street Angels.

“They are a group of resident volunteers that dedicate their time to support the homeless across Southampton.

“Whether providing warm clothes, food or just stopping to have a chat – they are fantastic.”

The group form a relationship with the homeless people in the city and continue to support them if they are able to get off the streets.

Angelo said that they money he is collecting from the donations of his Christmas lights will go towards buying arm bedding, blankets, clothing and hot food, drinks and personal hygiene products for the group to distribute to the homeless.

Donations can be sent here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/streetangelssouthampton?