Kind-hearted Michael Hughes, from Oldham, put his skills as a groundworker, for Electricity North West to good use, creating hundreds of handmade Christmas gifts.

By the day, Michael cuts back trees at some of the power network operator’s 30,000 substation sites throughout the region, keeping them neat and tidy.

By night, the father-of-five, works away in his shed sawing, planing and shaping the leftover wood into magical Christmas ornaments fulfilling hundreds of orders to raise funds for Doctor Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham, a facility which provides a range of services for those with life-limiting illness.

“I’ve been amazed by the response, it has been an unbelievable couple of weeks” he said.

“Orders have flooded in and already, 260 reindeer and snowmen have gone out to friends and work colleagues across our depots throughout the North West.

“My ultimate aim is to raise funds for Doctor Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham. It’s a hospice close to my heart and it’s really pleasing to see people rally around and help donate.”

The reindeer and snowmen are being sold for £7 each and to help manage the workload, Michael’s work colleagues Angie Thornton and Talony Williams have been on hand to deal with the incoming orders as has his partner, Sarah Rayner, who organised the daily amounts Michael needed to make.

To help raise additional funds, Michael is also raffling off a limited edition family of four reindeer and snowmen.

He added: “The gifts really don’t take that long to make, I’ve been fulfilling all of the orders in my shed after work.

“I really enjoy making them, it’s for a good cause and they’re putting a smile on people’s faces. I’m really hoping to raise a considerable amount for the charity.”