The cost of staging this year's Christmas lights in Long Lane, Newport will be 'phenomenal'...but Terry Ramplin is still going ahead with his charity fundraiser. 

However, the people who travel around on Southern Vectis's Christmas lights specials won't be treated to Terry's amazing display.

The bus company has left the Long Lane lights off its route for this year as the 72-year-old tries to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer IW Support Group through his twinkling light show.

Terry told the Isle of Wight County Press the first he heard that he wasn't on the route was when he phoned up Southern Vectis to ask them for support as electricity prices have rocketed this year.

Read more: 

Isle of Wight County Press: Terry Ramplin and his grandchildren switching on the lights.Terry Ramplin and his grandchildren switching on the lights. (Image: Newsquest)

Southern Vectis confirmed 68 Long Lane was not on its route this year.

"I was phoning Isle of Wight businesses asking for support and rang them. That's when they told me they weren't stopping at Long Lane...it's a blow."

Terry has been putting on the amazing show for 23 years now and has raised over £30,000 for many great causes over the years.

Read more: 

He has gone back to prostate cancer this year after his fundraising in 2021 allowed the group to test 250 Newport men.

"Thirty of those men required further investigation, so that was important work," said Terry.

Over the years he has supported many Isle of Wight charities, from Mountbatten to Ability Dogs for Young People, Homestart to Medina House School.

"Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was one that was close to my heart as without them, my children would not still have a mother."

Terry said the energy crisis made him think twice about doing it this year as many of his lights were old and energy-inefficient but he had decided to go ahead.

The lights will be switched on on December 3 at 6pm in the usual way, with sausage rolls and mince pies on offer to those who turn up.

"The cost will be phenomenal but it is worth it to support such a great cause," he said.