VANDALS have destroyed a village's Christmas tree and lights.

The attack at Skelton is the third in recent weeks. Decorations and a Christmas tree were attacked at Loftus, which had its first Christmas decorations in more than 20 years, while at Saltburn, the Christmas tree was hacked to the ground. Community leaders re-erected the remainder of the Saltburn tree.

Dave McLuckie, of Skelton and Brotton Parish Council and lead member for community safety at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said the Skelton decorations were destroyed between midnight on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day morning.

He said: "They've actually attacked the tree and the lights. They are totally destroyed. This is not some drunken jape, it's much more systematic than that.

"It's particularly awful when you think that people have held coffee mornings and the like all year so the community could have some Christmas lights and money has come from the taxpayer through the parish council as well. It might only be a few hundred pounds but it's time and effort as well. And its not just the decorations to think of. Crimes like this increase the fear of crime, they add to the impression that it isn't safe on the streets."

He vowed that the vandals would not win and decorations will be up next year.