'Christmas car' covered in 2,000 festive lights dazzles for charity

A car wrapped in 2,000 Christmas lights will be on show in Bracknell this week.  

Created by Nico Martin, 32, who lives in the town, the Mini features LED lights that constantly change colour and can be programmed into different designs.

Nico first wrapped his car in festive lights in December 2018 after being inspired by an online video. 

Driving around Bracknell that month, the "Christmas car" became the talk of the town, with people hoping to see it.

He said: “I just did it as a bit of fun. Then I went to the supermarket and put the lights on and people started taking photos.

“The next year people wanted to see it so I did it again.”

In 2019 he took the car to surprise 11-year-old Marcus Rooks, who had been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and in 2020, he turned his efforts into a fundraiser and raised more than £5,000 for Duchenne UK and for the MS Trust.

He added: ”The reception I get is great, people are telling me I brighten up their day. Last year everyone was in a dark place because of lockdown so I think I was a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. People cried on my shoulder saying it was the best thing they’d ever seen. It has been really heart warming.”

Although he started the idea using his own Mini, he is now using an electric Mini and lights that can be transformed using an app on a handheld tablet.

He said: “I can change the colour of every single light, and I can even give kids the ipad and they can change the colour of a door or the bonnet.

"The preset patterns look amazing too.

"There is one called Paparazzi mode, which is a dim red but flashes like it’s on the red carpet.” 

This year Nico is collecting for the MS Trust, Duchenne UK, and Alzheimer's Society, with a total of £3,000 raised so far.

Nico and the car will be at The Parks, Bracknell, on Wednesday 8 December from 6pm.

If you miss it, they will be in Princess Square, Bracknell, on Thursday 9 December from 2pm to 6pm.