Maria wants her decorations to light up charity

An Edinburgh woman is hoping her amazing Christmas decorations in Portobello can raise money for a charity close to her heart.

- by Kevin Quinn

The incredible Christmas decorations outside Maria's Portobello home

Portobello mum Maria Lumsden explained why she spent a fair chunk of last weekend putting up so many decorations - with the aim of helping to fight cataplexy.

The condition is sudden and transient episode of muscle weakness accompanied by full conscious awareness. It is often triggered by strong emotions like laughter or surprise, and can cause symptoms including a drooping jaw, slurred speech or a full-body collapse, as well as sleep paralysis and vivid hallucinations.

Maria is raising money for charity through her winter wonderland, inviting guests to make donations while enjoying the spectacle in her Windsor Place garden.

She said: "I love Christmas, it's the best time of the year, and I love to see the joy on people's faces as they go past.

"Although most of the decorations are up, I'm not quite finished yet."