IT'S time to untangle the festive lights, dust off Father Christmas, pull out the ladder - and get creative.

The Daily Echo is on the look-out for the best-dressed Christmas houses this December - and top twinkling homes could be in line for hundreds of pounds of prize money.

This stunning home in Sholing has already brought forward the big switch-on.

Rachel and Rob Cleverley see a dramatic rise in their electricity bill each year when they drape their home, garden and conservatory with more than 3,000 light bulbs to turn it into a magical Christmas grotto.

A model village, two train sets, moving toys and hundreds of decorations adorn the house in Bracklesham Close, in aid of Radio Lollipop at Southampton General Hospital.

Mrs Cleverley, 35, a payroll clerk at Millbrook Furnishing, and her husband Rob, 51, who works at Ford, run children's parties and entertainment in their spare time.

Last year the couple raised more than £200 and admit they are crazy about Christmas.

Mrs Cleverley said: "It's like a mad house, it's completely covered in decorations. I am a big fan of Christmas because it's a very happy time.

"Both my husband and I love to see the reaction on children's faces when they see the decorations. We don't mind the extra electricity costs, it's a very worthwhile cause.

"We chose Radio Lollipop a few years ago when we read in the Daily Echo that their building had been vandalised and have been donating money to them ever since."

But the Daily Echo wants to track down more decorative homes in Southampton, Winch-ester, Eastleigh, Fareham and the New Forest.

We want readers to nominate the most fantastic homes in their street for the Festive Home of the Year competition.

Haskins, one of the south's top Christmas decoration outlets, is offering the winner £300 of store vouchers, and two runners-up will also scoop £50 to spend in Haskins.

Simply contact the Daily Echo with the details of the homes - and we will photograph the top nominations and bring you a selection of the most outstanding homes in the region, before revealing the winners.