LIGHTS which adorned a village Christmas tree have been taken by thieves on three successive nights.

Now the parish council at Spofforth, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has decided not to replace them, after spending more than £100 on new ones.

The lights have been a tradition for the past 12 years but about 80 bulbs were stolen from the tree, in the grounds of the village hall, on Wednesday night.

They were immediately replaced by the parish council only to be stolen the next night, and yet again replaced. But after they had been stolen for a third successive night, the parish council said there would be no more lights.

Parish council chairman Shirley Fawcett said there was anger throughout the village.

She said: "We thought it had been a prank on the first occasion, but when it happened three nights in a row we just could not believe it.

"It is absolutely disgusting and appalling. All we are trying to do in our community is to bring a colourful glow to the Christmas proceedings."

By tradition, the 15ft tree was supplied as a gift from the nearby Stockeld Park Estate.

Now the tree looks forlorn, with only two bulbs at the top, apparently out of the thieves' reach.

Councillor Fawcett said: "The Christmas glow has been stolen from our village.

"We have had some vandalism in the past with broken glass to show for it at the foot of the tree, but never anything like this where bulbs have just been unscrewed and stolen."