Video: Welsh Santa lookalike reveals how he hand-made an incredible five foot Christmas tree

Royden loves Yuletide so much he listens to festive songs all year round, and even made his own tree, complete with villages between the branches.

A Santa Claus lookalike who is obsessed with Christmas has revealed how, no longer content with displaying his usual four fake trees, he has created the ultimate five feet festive fir – with enchanting snow-covered villages nestled between its branches.

Welshman Royden Johnson, 67 – who emigrated to Penticton, in British Columbia, Canada, as a child in 1966 – where he runs a massage clinic with his wife, Paishala, 54 – is so potty about the Yuletide, he listens to festive music all year round, claiming it keeps him in “high spirits.”

A father-of-four and grandfather-of-six, he puts up his decorations – including his trees and 38 Santa figures, which are positioned all the way up the stairs -on November 1 every year, taking three days to transform his four bedroom home into a winter wonderland.

And this year, Royden, who originates from Cardiff in South Wales, says he is already receiving admiring comments about his incredible handcrafted tree, adding: “I’m very pleased with it and everyone who sees it loves it, but I’ll probably modify it next year and make it even better.

“I have so many ideas that I know I’ll continue to make more Christmas creations in the future.

“My aim is to keep adding more festive features and spread the joy!”

Royden posing with tree (PA Real Life/Collect)

Working away in his garage in true Santa-style, Royden explained how he crafted his incredible tree, devoting five hours to the project, saying: “I had four Lazy Susans – a product used for storage in cabinets – which were just sitting in my garage.

“At the start of November this year, the idea came to me that I could use them to make something creative, so I took the cabinet apart, got a five foot wooden dowel and started putting it together to look like a tree.

“The bottom is 32 inches wide, the middle part is 32 inches again, the second middle section is 22 inches and the top is 14 inches.

A full length look at Royden's creation (PA Real Life/Collect)

He added: “There are four layers and, once I had my sizing right, I added brackets to keep it standing.

“I bought some cheap fabric and layered it over and over – once that was done to make it look like a real Christmas tree, with decorations and accessories.

“It’s just a shame that, unlike Santa, I didn’t have any elves to help me!”

The beginning construction of Royden's tree (PA Real Life/Collect)

While he never lacks creative flair, Royden struggles with tendonitis – a condition causing tendons to become inflamed and painful – as well as arthritis in both wrists and ruptured ligaments in his left , after hurting it massaging a client in July 2018.

But, despite his concerns that he would never be able to use his hands again for fiddly jobs, Royden spent five hours toiling in his garage, as well searching through his local dollar store for treasures, and created something magical.

He said: “I was faced with some challenges when I made my tree, but I didn’t want anything to get in the way.

The miniature village nestled in Royden's tree (PA Real Life/Collect)

He explained: “I mended a staple gun, which I used and took short breaks, but once I added in the sparkling lights and saw it brought to life, I was so happy I got it done.”

Frugal Royden, who met his wife – who shares his love for Christmas – in 1995 at massage school in Vancouver, spent just £80 on materials for his fabulous fake fir, which he cannot wait to show his grandchildren on December 25.

His children, Michelle, 42, Brandee, 38, and Anthony, 37 – who all live 245 miles away in Vancouver – and Devika, 15, who still lives at home, all love seeing his over-the-top decorations every year.

Outside of Royden's festive home (PA Real Life/Collect)

But he admits, he is a bigger festive fan than all of them put together, saying: “My older kids are making the five-and -a-half hour journey home to spend Christmas with us and I know they all love the way I do the house – but not as much as I do!

“They give me little pieces of advice about where to put my decorations and how to style it. I always listen to Devika’s advice. She knows what she’s talking about!”

While Royden cannot wait to see his grandchildren and will be chuffed by their excited reactions, he is concerned in case they damage his new tree.

Royden giving out gifts at a Christmas party (PA Real Life/Collect)

He continued: “Although I adore my grandchildren, I’m worried that they might climb all over my new tree and bring it to the ground!”

Royden, who still treasures his memories of childhood Christmases spent in Cardiff with his family, where he says community meant more than material presents, is keen to make sure his family share his appreciation of the spectacular celebration.

And he is delighted that getting older means he now has a white beard, just like his hero, Santa Claus, who he often dresses up as for Christmas parties and to hand out presents to his grandchildren.

Royden's collection of Santa Claus decorations (PA Real Life/Collect)

He said: “I suppose I do feel like Santa now and I certainly wouldn’t dye my beard any other colour!

“The only difficult thing about Christmas for me, is where to store the decorations, which include plenty of garlands, Christmas lights, and hundreds of baubles.

“My garage is completely full now and soon I’m going to need a bigger house!”