A GREAT-GRANDAD who raised thousands of pounds for charity by adorning his house with Christmas decorations has died, aged 75.

Ray Diles and his wife, Marilyn Banyard, decorated their house in Walnut Tree Way, Colchester, for 25 years in aid of the RSPCA.

The couple spent months getting it ready and it became known in the street as the Christmas House.

They stopped in 2011, due to Mr Diles’ deteriorating health. He died on May 30 from lung disease.

Ms Banyard said: “Ray was the man who never grew up, a Peter Pan. He had the kindest heart you could ever come across. If he could make someone laugh, it made his day.”

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