VANDALS snapped more than five feet off the top of a Christmas tree in a mindless early morning attack.

The thugs sent the top section of the 30ft tree in Walkden town centre crashing down to the ground.

And a large Rotary wheel symbol which lit up the top of the tree was also dragged to the floor.

It is the latest in a growing number of attacks on Christmas decorations, leaving Bolton Council and several voluntary groups weighing up whether they can afford to stand the same losses next year.

Just before Christmas the BEN reported how vandals had completely felled a tall festive tree at Blackrod.

The damage at Walkden is believed to have been caused by yobs pulling on electric light cables draped across the tree. But Rotary Club of Walkden officials have vowed that the senseless attack will not stop them getting out the festive decorations again next year.

Vice-chairman Derek Unsworth said: "Sadly once again we have the situation where the mindless minority spoil something nice for the majority.

"Without our tree there would have been no Christmas decorations in Walkden town centre. Why anyone would want to do this is beyond us but it does happen."

Rotary Club officials have also pledged to keep the damaged tree in place until the date it was due to be taken down.

Mr Unsworth added: "Apart from making it safe we have decided to leave it and let people see what has been done for themselves."

The Walkden tree attack follows an ambush on Radcliffe Rotary Club's Santa sleigh earlier this month.

And two years ago yobs attacked a Rotary Club sleigh as it toured an estate in Little Hulton, forcing Santa to have a police escort.

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