CHRISTMAS came to one Blackburn household during the middle of summer.

The home in Heys Close was decorated and even had a Christmas tree as part of an alternative Christmas Day organised by former Blackburn woman Janet Macintyre.

Janet, 54, has lived in Melbourne, Australia, for 34 years and was due to return to her family in England to celebrate Christmas with them last year.

But in the end she was unable to visit so she decided that during her four-week stay this month, the family could get together and have a belated Christmas.

The day was arranged by Janet with the help of her twin sister Anne Curry, whose house was decorated, and other family members.

Janet, who lives with her husband and son in Australia, said: "I couldn't make it at Christmas so I thought I'll have my Christmas in July instead. The funny thing is that I'm used to Christmas being hot compared to the cold English Christmas and now the weather is boiling here too.

"We decided to have a barbecue but still got a traditional Christmas pudding. We had a tree and decorations and a friend agreed to come as Santa Claus and bring presents for the children."

Janet used to live in Brookfield Street, Blackburn, in the early 1970s.