VANDALS intent on ruining Christmas in Middlewich trashed the tree lights in the town centre.

Middlewich Bull Ring was plunged into darkness after yobs vandalised the power cables causing £200 worth of damage and breaking the Christmas tree lights.

Town centre events manager Dave Thompson said he was disappointed with the vandals’ behaviour after all the time and effort that had been spent on the festive celebrations.

“It’s certainly disheartening, especially when people aren’t aware of the reason that the light’s aren’t working,” he said.

“We put a lot of time and effort into this years’ Christmas celebrations and this is the only hiccup we’ve had, but in this day and age it’s just what happens.”

It is believed that the lights were vandalised overnight on Saturday, December 13.

Dave added: “I have asked the CAT team to investigate and see if there is any footage on the CCTV cameras. They were certainly working on Saturday night, but after that I don’t know.”

A gang of teenagers also attempted to trash the Christmas lights outside a house in Smallwood Close on Wednesday evening before getting disturbed and fleeing the scene.

PCSO Richard Garrett, from Middlewich CAT team, said police were investigating.

“We have had a few reports of youths messing with the tree,” he said.

“Quite a lot of kids do hang around in the Bull Ring – the majority of whom are well behaved – but the Bull Ring is covered by CCTV so we can see what they are up to.

“If anyone was targeting the tree, they will have been caught on CCTV and dealt with accordingly. We will also be patrolling the area and keeping a close eye on them.”

Dave said that despite the setback it would not deter him from organising spectacular festive celebrations and decorations in Middlewich in the future.

“It doesn’t put me off,” he added.

“If things like that put me off we would never have anything. We have had such great feedback from the Christmas Fair and choir concerts, which overshadows things like this – I won’t let it get me down.”

Workmen from Congleton Borough Council came out to fix the lights and replace the damaged cables on Wednesday.

Dave added: “I would just like to thank the lighting department from Congleton Borough Council for responding so quickly.”