FAMILIES on three estates had festive trips to relatives ruined when their cars were attacked in the early hours of Christmas morning.

More than 30 vehicles had their tyres slashed on the estates known as The Agnews, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

It is thought they were targeted by people walking home from a night out.

A police spokesman said: This incident has caused great distress and inconvenience to those families who were intending to travel to visit relatives and friends on Christmas Day."

The spokesman said no one living on the three estates had reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious while the attacks were taking place.

He said: "We would ask anyone who has private CCTV systems to check their tapes to see if there was anything suspicious."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01325) 314401.