Aussie lawyer sets world record for Christmas lights display with 1.2 million bulbs

It's a display Clark Griswold would envy.

Australian lawyer David Richards has set a world record by stringing up almost 1.2 million Christmas lights at a downtown Canberra mall in the centre of the national capital.

According to the Guinness World Records, the 1,194,380 LED bulbs are the most ever used in a display. It beat the previous mark set in Uzbekistan by 181,540 lights.

For some perspective, the display required 120 kilometres (75 miles) of wire, strung together in the shape of three giant Christmas presents.

Richards set a Guiness World Record a year ago for the most Christmas lights on a residential property, wrapping his Canberra home with a staggering 502,165 bulbs.

"Christmas lights really get people into the festive spirit," Richards said. "We decorated our home for years and people came from everywhere to see our lights. This year, who knows how many people will come along?"

The mall display was assembled with the help of an army of volunteers working for months and powered by electricity donated by a local power company. Architects, civil engineers, construction companies and sound engineers were all involved in the project.

The show will be open to the public free of charge until New Year's Eve, but donations are accepted for a local Sudden Infant Death Syndrome counselling and support serivce.

Joy to the world.

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