HEARTLESS thieves have stolen the lights off the Christmas tree in Chorley town centre.

The callous thieves have ruined the pleasure of Christmas for thousands of the children, according one of the town's long-established traders.

The new £600 fairy lights, decorating the tree outside the QS Fashions store at the top of Market Street, had been up for a week when they were stolen last weekend.

Around 40 bulbs, encased in glass shades, were ripped from the 25ft tree with the remaining left destroyed beyond repair.

The decorative lights, which were bought recently to replace ones used in previous years, were provided for the town through a joint venture between the local council, the town's Chamber of Trade and QS Fashion store.

Chamber of Trade secretary Jose Hampson, who owns Hampsons Toys, Market Street, Chorley, said: "We want to know who is guilty of destroying the pleasure of the young by vandalising the new Christmas tree lights.

"We are depressed and angry after the trial and tribulations we have had to get these lights on the best Christmas tree we have ever had.

"When so many people had given up so much of their time and effort to attract people to come to Chorley, these miserable thieves can spoil it all. What use are they to them?"

But Mrs Hampson is appealing to anyone who has seen anything or knows where the lights are to contact her on 01257 264091 or call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

She added: "At times like this it is tempting to think 'why bother'?

"Then I remember the pleasure on the faces of children and adults who have joined in the Christmas torchlight parade."

And she vowed not let the attack spoil the festive spirit in the town. "We are determined that these vandals will not destroy our enthusiasm for the strong community spirit we have in Chorley," she said.

Vandalism and theft of Christmas lights has occurred in previous years in Chorley and incidents have also been reported in the outlying villages of Eccleston and Coppull.

A spokesman from the council's street lighting department, who put up the Christmas lights, said: "It has happened before in previous years where lights have been vandalised.

"It is a case of sheer devilment and badness because there is no means to an end here they cannot be re-used.

"We are trying to get together another set of lights as we speak but it is a case of making a purse out of a pig's ear."