Millionaire businessman Robbie Raggio's wife has threatened to leave him if he covers their home in Christmas lights again.

Debi Raggio has issued him with an ultimatum: "Either the lights go or I do."

The tycoon, who made his fortune from a car wash at Hove station, has turned his family home into a mass of illuminations during the festive season for the last five years for charity.

This year's display is raising funds for The Argus Appeal.

The display includes fake snow on the roof, a giant snowman on the drive and an illuminated Father Christmas at their house in Woodland Drive, Hove.

But this year will be the last time.

Debi, 40, the mother of two teenagers, said: "I have put my foot down. I just want to have a normal happy family Christmas.

"The trouble with Robbie is that everything has to be 100 per cent.

"If he does something it has to be done well. He is not content with putting a few fairy lights round the window like most people.

'We have to have lights everywhere - up the drive, across the roof and round the chimney. Then there is the huge Father Christmas, illuminated inflatable characters, snow machines and the firework displays every Saturday night.

"I have had four days of people traipsing through my house, helping Robbie put up the lights. It is not a home when we have the displays. As far as I am concerned, this year will be the last."

Robbie, 43, said: "We have been married for 20 years and known each other since teenagers.

"We will not split up but the lights do put a strain on our relationship. Debi has really put her foot down and said: 'Not again'.

"It requires a lot of work to put on this display. Each year we put the lights away carefully and, as everyone knows, lights have a mind of their own.

"It is so frustrating when you put up lights and find they don't work.

"I will be storing the lights away carefully because you never know when they will be needed and I might get Debi to change her mind but I can't see that happening for a couple of years.

"I can definitely say there will be no display next year. My daughter Stephanie is very disappointed. My son Elliot is not making any comment.

"I want this year to be the best ever and go out at the top."

Three years ago the display made headlines around the world after The Argus revealed how a neighbour had sent Robbie a poison pen letter.

It was addressed to the occupier and claimed to be from other residents in the road.

It said: "You are obviously unaware of the effects your distasteful display is having on your neighbours.

"Your sign mentions the season of goodwill, yet you did not show any when you decided to inflict this disgraceful and wasteful use of power on other people.

"If you think any of us will contribute when you are wasting so much money on your own self-indulgence, think again."

Robbie plans to hold firework displays at his home on December 6, 13 and 20 at 6pm.