THIS Hampshire home will sparkle more than ever this year in honour of a woman whose life was cut tragically short.

A little more has been lovingly added to the usual decorations of the Drummond family home in Lawn Road, Eastleigh, in memory of a mother-of-two who adored Christmas.

Karen Drummond's sister Julie Sheppard was stabbed to death by her ex-husband Howard Woodin in her Southsea home in March 2003.

Woodin was found guilty of murder in May this year and jailed for life for what the police described as the most extreme case of domestic violence they had seen.

Now Karen and her family are coming to terms with their grief but they have not forgotten Julie.

Christmas is a perfect time to remember her. Today would have been her 43rd birthday.

"She absolutely loved this time of year," said Karen, 40.

"She always put her decorations up really early - in October or November.

"We all love Christmas and every year we add a little more to our collection of decorations."

This year the home Karen shares with her husband Andy and children Toby, 19, Nathan, 18, Sam, 16, and 18-month-old Tyler, is adorned with all kinds of festive cheer including Christmas trees, scores of lights and an inflatable Santa.

"This year the house is decorated in honour of my sister," said Karen.

"She was such a bubbly person - very outgoing," she added. "She loved to party. And she was a good listener if you had a problem. We all miss her terribly. We were very close as sisters.

"Christmas is a good time to pay our respects to her. We will be toasting her on Christmas Day and I know she will be looking down enjoying the display.

"We will add a little bit more every year just for her."

HAMPSHIRE residents are among the most festive in the country.

That's the official verdict from bosses at DIY giant B&Q, which has recorded soaring sales of outdoor lights to southerners this Christmas.

A staggering 30 per cent of sales of outdoor lights have been in the south - with sales of reindeer, bell and star-shaped lights up 40 per cent on last year's figures.

And this year's Daily Echo Haskins Festive Homes competition has proved that homeowners across the region are keen to show off their displays.

B&Q spokesman Lorian Coutts said: "It seems that towns in the south are shaking off their reserved reputation and are giving their northern counterparts such as Blackpool, which has traditionally held the crown as the UK's brightest town, a run for their money.

"Managers are reporting friendly local rivalry as neighbours compete to see who can create the most festive displays."