Christmas boats in Scarborough harbour

Boat owners and skippers add their own magic to Christmas by decorating their ships, little and large, with multi coloured lights. All for a good cause too, Marie Curie Cancer Care charity, as they take part in a 'best boat' competition organised by the local Sons of Neptune environmental group. It'll take a few more Christmases to become the Blackpool illuminations of the East coast, but it's become a Scarborough Christmas traditional after just a few years.

This photo was taken after a request from the Sons, as my old paper in the town didn't have a photographer available in the evening. I shot the event this time last year, while I was a staff photographer, little knowing how completely different my life would be in the next 12 months. So I can't think what the future year will bring...?!