A DAD has set up a grotto at home to raise money for charity.

Shane Ferguson from Upland Road has made his house a festive attraction since 2015 with his Christmas lights and later went a step further by installing a Santa grotto during the first lockdown.

The festive set up was well received by both locals and out-of-towners, with the money raised to go towards Willowbrook Hospice.

51-year-old Shane said: "The grotto started in the first lockdown. We were on Facebook and saw a lot of people saying they couldn’t believe lockdown and that they had no grottos to go to, so I went out looking and bought an inflatable grotto.

St Helens Star: The grotto is set up outside Shane's house on Upland Road The grotto is set up outside Shane's house on Upland Road (Image: Jodie Clough)

"It took off really well – that first year we raised over £800 for Willowbrook.

"It’s been a brilliant response. I’ve had some teary moments and I’ve been getting people from all over the place; I’ve even had people from Warrington, Wigan, and Birkenhead."

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The soon-to-be dad of four raised more than £750 last year and is hoping this year’s grotto will see a similar turnaround.

St Helens Star: The festive set up took off during lockdown and has now become a traditionThe festive set up took off during lockdown and has now become a tradition (Image: Jodie Clough)

Shane, who distributes vending machines, also detailed how he compromised with this year’s Christmas lights due to the cost-of-living crisis by limiting the time they are on; enabling him to pay the same amount as last year.

Santa is outside his grotto every night between 6-8pm at Upland Road, St Helens, WA10 3JP.