Glittering reception for turkey and tinsel guests at Torquay hotel

A TORQUAY hotel is celebrating Christmas in Winter Glitterland style.

The Howden Court in Croft Road has really got into the festive spirit with not one but several Christmas trees, a miniature snow scene village, Santa's tree-lined grotto, life-size reindeer, ceiling decorations and much more.

The hotel is the latest entrant in the 2012 Winter Glitterland competition.

Everyone who loves putting up Christmas lights, whether families or businesses, are welcome to join in the competition which creates a sparkling trail around the area to brighten up the dark winter nights.

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There are trophies and certificates for the winners and a special presentation ceremony.

The special magic of Christmas helps lift the doom and gloom of the recession, said Howden Court manager Brian Robertson.

He said guests who take special pre-Christmas breaks have an early visit from Santa who brings along presents. For many guests their visit is the 'real Christmas'.

He added: "At Howden Court Hotel, we go all out and provide a programme of events including fancy hat competitions, Christmas quiz, in-house pantomime, sherry reception, mince pies after bingo, bubbly breakfast and mulled wine."

The turkey and tinsel breaks were still proving popular with several groups booked in for next year's festive-theme breaks.

The Winter Glitterland classes are: super class, best residential, most imaginative, best illuminated street, best illuminated commercial street, best illuminated 'village' street, best commercial business, best retail shop, best retail shop window, best retail shop window Torquay, best retail shop window Paignton, best hotel (external), best hotel (internal); best commercial attraction; best eco friendly lights, best harbour display.

To enter all you have to do is email your name, address, telephone number and the class you are entering to newsdesk@heraldexpress.co.uk or telephone 01803 676221.

You can also nominate a good display you have seen giving us the house /shop number or name and street. Please also send us your photographs of your displays, preferably taken at dusk.

The closing date is Christmas Eve.

All those entering are published each week in the Winter Glitterland Trail: Palace Hotel, Paignton; Babbacombe Model Village; Neil Smith and partner Kelly Gilbert, 10 Cleatlands Close, Paignton; Grand Hotel, Torquay; Louise and Jim Dicken and family, 4 Stanley Gardens, Paignton; Torquay Pavilion.