MEAN spirited thieves have turned the Christmas lights out for one Bolton family.

An illuminated Christmas train, a snowman and sign saying "Santa please stop" were stolen from the garden of their house in Breightmet.

Wes and Sarah Aldred, of Withins Drive, Breightmet, Bolton, have been bringing Christmas cheer to their neighbourhood since they switched on their outdoor festive lights display back in October.

But on Wednesday morning the couple woke up to find thieves had stolen most of the lights.

The couple, who have a three-year-old son called Kye, had spent more than £350 on the display which included a 6ft Father Christmas, a Santa's sleigh with reindeers, snowman, icicle lights and an illuminated train in the front garden.

Sarah, aged 30, said: "We'd been out this weekend to buy some more lights but when I opened up the blinds on Wednesday morning they had gone. We didn't hear anything during the night.

"They've taken about £180 worth of lights and they must have used clippers because the wires have been cut. I think what they've done is just disgusting.

"This is the first time we've put lights up outside the house and one of the best things about it was seeing the expressions on children's faces as they walked by.

"Kye got very upset when he saw what had happened. He just kept on saying 'choo -choo train gone'."

The couple are determined not to let the thieves take the shine off Christmas and plan to quickly replace the lights.

Mrs Aldred, who works at Bargain Booze in Bury Road, said: "We used to switch them off at midnight, but now we're going to keep them on all night so that if someone does try to steal them they'll get a nasty shock."