MONTHS of hard work have been destroyed by vandals who wrecked a man's Christmas lights display.

Martin Abbott, of Rush Park, Bishop Auckland, first decided to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to his street three years ago, when he first covered his home and garden in Christmas lights and decorations.

This year he started preparations for his light show in January, when he bought more fairy lights and decorations.

After creating large models of Father Christmas, a Santa's grotto and a Christmas tree, Mr Abbot spent three days creating the £500 light display in his garden.

But in the early hours of Sunday, it looked as if all the hard work was in vain, after vandals cut through the wiring.

Mr Abbott, who works at Bishop Auckland Town Hall said: "They've just spoiled it for everybody else.

"We do have a lot of people come and see our Christmas display and residents in the street like the display and put the odd light in their gardens too.

"A lot of people are disappointed and are worried about their lights.

"There's a bungalow on another estate in Bishop Auckland I know of, that has had the same thing happen, so I want to warn other people."