How the Grinch inspired a Christmas window display which is turning heads in Whitburn

Beauty salon owner, Sophie Dagg, says the window took around five days to pull together and includes a tower of presents, a Whoville wonky Christmas tree and a village sign pointing towards the Grinch’s lair.

La Belle Amie Boutique, in North Guards, is dressed for Christmas every year but Sophie says she’s had an overwhelming response this winter.

Previously Sophie has decorated the store with ‘Elf on a Shelf’ and even created a Christmas village in the window as part of the business’ tradition.

The idea had come about when Sophie entered a competition held in Whitburn – which saw Sophie’s display win the top spot.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Monkwearmouth, said: “They decided to stop the competition but I still think it’s fun to decorate the window so I do it every year.

“I feel like every year I have to go one better, it’s like I’m in competition with myself.

“I think I had more people looking in the window in the first four days it was up than I have in the whole seven years I’ve been here.”

She says school kids walking past are always stopping to look at the window and she’s had many residents pop into the salon to comment on the display.

“I’m already thinking about what I can do next year,” said Sophie. “It's going to be hard to top it but I’m going to have to try.”