VANDALS have destroyed the Christmas lights of a Cleveland town.

This was the first time the town of Loftus has had a Christmas tree and lights for more than 20 years - and they lasted only two days.

The tree, which was donated to the town, is still standing but has been badly damaged, and more than half the lights, which cost more than £1,000, have been stolen.

Loftus Town Council had hoped the Christmas lights project, which has cost more than £2,500 in total, would be developed in future years but it will now reconsider its plans.

Community policeman Eddie O'Hara was yesterday travelling around the town's schools trying to find information that might lead him to the culprits.

He said: "This is shocking, especially after the amount of hard work people have put in to get the town some Christmas decorations.

"It is disgraceful for our area, especially when you consider everywhere else in the district seems to have decorations."

Janet Welford, chairwoman of Loftus council environment committee, said: "People like to see Christmas decorations and lights, but the council has a duty to avoid the wasting of public money.

"It is possible that the actions of a few individuals may have jeopardised the future festive arrangements for the whole of the community."

The tree, donated by Barkers of Hinderwell, was erected last Wednesday and illuminated the following day.

On Friday and Saturday a few plastic lights were removed but on Sunday every light bulb in the lower half of the tree was removed.

Some children had earlier been seen shaking the tree.

Most of the cost for the lights was met by the town council, but Loftus Business Group also made a contribution.

Anyone with any information is asked to call PC O'Hara on 0773 6622727.