DURING the Christmas period, many people cover their homes in colourful lights and merry characters to bring joy to passers-by.

But one man has taken the festive spirit to the next level by covering his car in thousands of lights and taking his Christmas cheer with him where ever he goes.

Ethan Day-Lewis is spreading the joy of Christmas to all those in Southampton using only his car.

The 22-year-old apprentice has kitted out his black Toyota Gt86 with more than 3,000 lights on 75m of cable and 50m of tape.

Daily Echo:

It took four hours to complete the finished look.

Ethan said: “No, before you ask, I am not mad.

“It’s to bring the stress of Christmas shopping, and the hatred of the rush of the tills to a comical and memorable end as I’ve been driving around the streets of Southampton.

"My family get panicked by Christmas and all the shopping that comes with it and so I thought this would give people a smile when they're in town.

"It's been a memorable experience with my mates in my car club."

Ethan said that he has had many families with children coming up to his car to take selfies and admire his handy-work.

He added that while driving around he has seen many smiling and laughing faces and people pointing at his car.

Daily Echo:

Ethan will be using his car to raise money for Wessex Cancer Trust, which needs to raise £600,000 by January 31 or sadly faces closure.

Ethan told the Daily Echo that he wants to spread a “simple” message in Southampton this year.

He said: “It isn’t the vast quantity or the price of the gifts that brings joy and happiness, it’s the simple, little things that have the biggest effect on us.

“Take my lights for example.

“Something so simple can bring a lot of happiness, amusement and wonder to people of all ages whether young or old.”

Ethan is asking people who take a snap of his car to post the pictures on Instagram and tag him @ethandaylewis.