Actor Martin Clunes was in Bridport last night to switch on a festive lights display which is hoped to raise more than £1,000 for charity.

The Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly star was in White Close, Bradpole, to flick the switch on the lights on Monday, put together by Monica and Rob Teague.

Crowds braved cold temperatures and filled the street to watch the star turn on the lights, which featured a miniature train set and snow machine.

This year is the 10th that Monica and Rob have fundraised for charity, with donations going to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

Visitors kept warm by tucking into mulled wine, mince pies, sausage rolls and hot soup while Father Christmas handed out gifts and posed for pictures.

The lights will be on every evening in December from 5pm to 10pm and Santa will also be at the property every Friday and Saturday from 5.30pm-7pm.

For a small donation, a gift will be available for each child.

Mr Clunes, who lives in nearby Beaminster, is a patron for Dorset charity Weldmar Hospicecare, which has benefitted from donations in the past, and he was invited back this year by the Bradpole family.

Monica told the crowd that the cost-of-living crisis made her think twice about whether to put up the display this year but wanted to add some festive cheer to the area.

"We do it for a charity each year, last year was Weldmar and this time it was for Julia's House," she said.

"Last year we raised over £1,000 so I would love to think we can beat that but things are hard so we have just asked people to give what they can afford, really.

"There are more people here this year but it's because of Martin isn't it, he draws them in."

Mr Clunes added that it was 'not hard' for him to return to the house for a second year to help the Teague family raise money for a worthwhile good cause. 

"It is my second year coming and I just came because I was asked, and it is not hard for me," he said.

"There are a lot of smiling faces and it raises money for a charity that I have been long involved with and we all treasure. And boy they can spend it well."