Christmas lights up - now (From Bucks Free Press)

Christmas lights up - now

10:05am Friday 28th September 2007 in

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SHOCKED people could not believe their eyes when they caught sight of a group of houses decked out in Yuletide decorations a whole three months before Christmas.

But their fears that Wooburn Green had gone into an early festive frenzy were unfounded.

Instead, four houses got their Christmas makeover from a television company filming a seasonal comedy special.

Kathy Peacock, who lives in one of the starring homes in Northcroft, said: "The houses were dressed up for Christmas the day before. They used the interiors for some scenes. Lots of people from all down the street were coming round to look and they were taking pictures. The crew were really good, very professional."

The show, called Christmas at The Riviera, is being produced by Carnival Films. It features Warren Clarke, of Dalziel and Pascoe, and Sam Kelly, of Allo Allo. Details of the story were sketchy, but the crew told Kathy that it should tickle the nation's funnybone. She said: "They told me, if you like Fawlty Towers or Duty Free, watch it at Christmas on ITV. It will be great to sit down to have a drink and bust your sides laughing."

She caught a glimpse of Sam Kelly, and had hoped to see Warren Clarke, but it turned out his big scene of driving his car into the driveway was shot with a stand-in. To make sure the unusually festive houses didn't attract vandals, one of the crew kept watch on Thursday night.

And, by Saturday morning, all traces of the Christmas cheer had gone from the road, with the houses back to normal.

Penny Jones, whose mother's house was decorated, also lives in Northcroft. She said: "The crew told us to put your feet up to watch it and you'll kill yourself laughing.

I bet some of the mums on the way back from school must have thought we were mad having Christmas decorations up."

Have you spotted any premature decorations going up? Email the newsdesk on bfpnews@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01494 755000.