A family are keeping their Christmas lights sparkling until their father is able to come home from hospital.

Andrew Ward, 47, of Hillie Bunnies, Earls Colne, suffered a brain haemorrhage and was rushed to Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, two days before Christmas.

His sons Brandon, 18, Shane, 22, Gavin, 25, and his wife Pat, decided to keep their display of colourful Christmas lights illuminating the family home.

Now the family have decided to keep the lights up into the year 2003 until their father returns from hospital and he can see the seasonal display for himself.

Mr Ward underwent a four-hour brain operation yesterday and following a tense day, the Ward family were relieved to hear the operation had gone smoothly.

Mrs Ward said today: "The operation has been a success.

"It was the longest day of my life but he was awake and talking by the end of yesterday.

Brandon said: "My father knows what's been going on with the lights, we've been telling him all about it.

"He saw them briefly before he had to go to hospital but we are going to keep the lights up until he comes home."

The family have put out collection tins for sightseers to make donations to the Essex Air Ambulance and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

Published Tuesday, January 7, 2003

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