Three first-time entrants have swept the board in the Christmas residential lights display competition in Penryn.

Residents of the town have been putting the finishing touches to their displays for weeks, ahead of this year's Penryn Christmas Lights House and Garden Competition.

Packet deputy editor Stephen Ivall was on hand to judge the competition, picking Jean Nicholls, of Fox Stanton, as the winner of the £20 first prize. She was followed by Mary Kent, of Western Place, in second, winning £15, and Carol Heath, also of Fox Stanton, in third place, winning £10.

The trio were also presented with trophies in recognition of their success.

Winner Mrs Nicholls said: "I'm very pleased - it's the first time I've won. It's the first time I've entered! We do it because the grandchildren like it, and the children on our estate love it also. You get something new for it each year in the sales."

Mrs Heath, third prize winner, said: "You add every year - I've started buying already for next year."

She said that it was "absolutely wonderful" to win a prize on her first year of entering, adding that she and her husband were "thrilled to bits".

John Ashwin, chairman of the Penryn Christmas Lights Committee, praised all the entrants for their hard work.

He said: "I know how hard it is - we've put them up ourselves in the town for years. It's not easy. And not only is it hard work, it costs money. You have done a wonderful job with what you have done and I do thank you."

It is the thirtieth anniversary of Penryn's Christmas lights display, after Mr Ashwin first put up just one string of lights around the Town Hall three decades ago. Since then the display has grown to cover the whole town and residents have also joined in by putting displays around their houses.

"The town lights this year have been very good. The whole town has responded well. It's lovely," added Mr Ashwin.