I was chuffed to bits that my rude Christmas lights cause a stir

Martin Clarke decided to put up the 'offensive' Christmas decoration at the front of his family home for the second year running on December 15th, but claims 'half the street' isn't pleased about it.

The 41-year-old says his wife Bex Clarke, 42, 'hates' the £70 decoration that took him five hours to construct using pool noodle pipes, metal wire and fairy lights.

The content creator said he's already received 14 complaints from different neighbours and a 'friendly' warning from the police, but he believes these people should 'lighten up'.

One angry neighbour apparently sent the pair a letter on December 17th demanding they take the lights down immediately. In the letter they slam the display, claiming 'these abominations are disgraceful and offensive and do not belong'.

The neighbour warns that 'if you do not take them down we will have no choice but to make a formal complaint. You have been warned'.

The couple shared footage on Facebook of Martin gleefully creating the large decoration and a fuming Bex telling him to take it down.

Many users took to the comments criticising Martin with one user pointing out that 'it's not a good thing to do on show at the front of the house' especially with kids around.

Other users saw the funny side of it with one user commenting 'has no one got a sense of humour today'?

Despite the backlash, Martin says he is 'unsure' whether he will take down the lights decorations and plans to create an even bigger one next year.

Martin, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said: "I'm shocked about the amount of people that have complained.

"I was chuffed to bits [seeing it on the house]. This year I've gone all out and built it.

"Bex begged me not to but obviously I did it just to create a bit of humour in the festive season.

"She hates me doing stuff publicly. Half of the street is not best pleased. She's not happy and she wants me to take it down.

"We've had a few people knocking on the door. As I was constructing it I had a conversation with a couple at the front of the house.

"They had a go at me and said 'you're not doing that [...] get it down now'. They threatened us with the police and the council.

"I've had a couple of other interactions saying I'm just being an idiot and stupid.

"We did have a visit from the police. They gave us a friendly 'look if someone makes a serious complaint that's causing them any alarm or distress or offence then we would come back and instruct you to take it down'.

"I do think people should lighten up but on the other hand not everyone shows the same sense of humour.

"It's not explicit because you can kind of tell what it is but if you didn't know about it you wouldn't notice. It's not blatantly offensive.

"Especially since last year I think people have started to change the way they act about certain jokes. A lot more people are getting offended.

"You don't want to be upsetting people. It's alright being a joke but if it affected someone that much they felt the need to come round and write a letter it does make you feel a bit bad. I'm not sure [if I'll take it down].

"It's brilliant [when people see the humorous side in it]. Everyone needs that laughter in their life. Everyone needs that little giggle at night time after a hard day's work.

"It means a lot to some people to keep them laughing and entertained. Humour's subjective and not everyone's going to find your stuff funny.

"If a kid doesn't know what it is, the parents can get away with saying it's a lighthouse or a candle.

"When people come round and take photos and have a laugh that's made my day of course it's worth it. I'll try and recreate it next year and make it bigger."

Many users criticised the couple's light display in the comments.

One user wrote: "I'm sure when you were younger and your kids were younger you would not have been impressed if you took your kids past someone else's home and saw this.

"Get it's a joke and all but it's not a good thing to do on show at the front of the house."

Another commented : "Bet your neighbours are glad you're moving."

A third wrote: "Trust me I'm all for a laugh and find it funny myself but my grandad lives near you and doesn't see the funny side."

Another commented: "You've had your fun, just rearrange now, no one needs the drama around Christmas."

However, other users chose to see the funny side in the decor.

One wrote: "Has no one got a sense of humour today?"

Another commented: "I can't believe people would actually complain. Clearly got far too much time on their hands."

A third wrote: "I think people need to grow a pair and literally stop being snowflakes."

Greater Manchester Police declined to comment.