A TEESSIDE couple have been left devastated by vandals who wrecked their Christmas display.

Geoff and Tina Patchett had an inflatable Santa stolen from the garden of their home in Wincanton Road, near Redcar Racecourse.

The lights which complete the festive display every year were also tampered with by the thieves.

The couple found the inflatable dumped in a nearby garden after the Christmas Eve attack and returned it to their garden.

But on Boxing Day, the heartless thieves returned and destroyed the Santa by burning holes in it.

"It's ruined," said Mr Patchett, 59.

"My wife can't sleep now and thinks we should take the full display down but I don't think we should let them win.

"We have Christmas cards from people thanking us for making them smile with the display, and some people come round and take photos of the garden. The children love it.

"We put it up every year, but this is the first time it's been vandalised."

Mr Patchett and his wife, 67, have contacted the police, and anyone with information is asked to call (01642) 326326.