Man's £11k Halloween display that has taken over neighbour's garden

A Halloween superfan says he has spent more than £11,000 on his display this year, which is so big it has extended into his neighbour's garden.

Chris Dickson, 50, from Lancashire, has been decorating his Morecambe home for Halloween for the last five years starting out with a few decorations.

However, he says his home is now a community event with live actors, flame throwers, 40 animatronics and a catering van.

"I must have spent £11,000 on the animatronics alone," Chris said. "It keeps getting bigger and bigger. This year I've had to ask my neighbour if I can extend it into his garden."

Chris, who is a gardener, said he had to take a week off work to set up this year's event - and even had to set up scaffolding to get some of the props in place.

"It takes a long time to get the visual effects up," Chris said

He added: "We've got lasers, lights, flamethrowers, so it takes a lot of planning."

But he said all his efforts will be worth it when it comes to Halloween night.

"It's great to see the kids' faces," Chris said.

"And we have people come from everywhere come to see it.

"I'm very excited - I won't sleep this week though worrying about getting it done in time," he added.

For Chris and his wife Sharon, their Halloween display is about more than just the novelty.

Chris was diagnosed with bladder cancer 13 years ago. After he was given the all clear in 2020, Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer.

And the couple's extravagant Halloween efforts are all in aid of CancerCare - a charity that supported Chris and Sharon on their journeys to being cancer-free.

"I feel very proud," Chris added. "Without CancerCare we really would have struggled.

"It's a great cause and one that is very close to our hearts."

Phil Massam, 62, from Wigan has also crafted a massive Halloween display.

He said that since unveiling the 2026 display he has had school buses of children arriving to check out the decorations.

"It has gone viral," Phil said.

"Even the schools are putting the kids on minibuses and driving past in the daytime.

"The estate is gridlocked most nights and last year we had 600 kids come to the house for sweets."

"It was crazy," he added.

He said his favourite part of this year's showcase was a skeleton emerging through the roof - which he said he spent all summer crafting out of mirrors.

Phil said he served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, leading him to develop combat post traumatic stress disorder.

"Keeping busy helps with my mindset," he said. "I'm exactly the same at Christmas.

"And it's great because the kids in the community love it."

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