A MODERN-DAY Scrooge has launched a hate campaign against Christmas decorations on a plush housing estate.

Families have been accused of displaying 'cheap and tacky taste' in festive lights by a mysterious letter writer, known only as The House Doctor.

The anonymous author posted angry letters to five houses on the private Mickle Dales estate, Redcar, detailing his disgust at the multi-coloured lights. He wrote: "Your neighbours have to look at this crap - have some dignity. We don't want to look like a council estate."

One letter dropped on Linda Leech's doormat last Saturday. The mother-of-three's four-bed home is decorated with illuminated icicles, lanterns and Santa.

The writer said: "Starting with the worst. You are a detached house - I would expect more taste from you.

"It looks like a cross between a bingo hall and a brothel at Christmas. I have never seen anything as tacky/ common/ cheap in my life."

Insurance worker Linda, 36, who moved to the estate three months ago, said: "I laughed at first but it really is upsetting. The wording of the letter is personal we have been targeted specifically.

"Whoever it is, is sick and miserable."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said no criminal offence had been committed.