VANDALS who damaged some of Newton Abbot’s Christmas lights have been challenged to come forward and help make amends for their ‘despicable’ actions.

Shortly before last week’s spectacularly successful lantern parade, town councillors and officers were shocked to discover some of the festive lights on the trees in Courtenay Street had been torn off overnight.

They had only just been added to the already superb town Christmas display, in time for the Lantern parade.

Newton Abbot town development manager Sally Henley said: ‘We have CCTV surveillance of the town centre as evidence for the police.

‘We challenge those responsible to come forward and apologise, help to put it right and we will take it no further.

‘It’s absolutely despicable that they should do this in the name of fun and try to spoil everyone else’s Christmas joy.

‘The town council has spent a fortune making sure we have the best lights possible and now we’ve had to get the electricians back again at extra expense.

‘A lot of time, thought and money has gone into this year’s lights.

‘We have many new light schemes and Queen Street is looking the best it ever has.

‘This is disgusting, selfish and despicable behaviour. All they have done is try to spoil things for everyone else.

‘If you are the person responsible, please come forward to help us put right the damage you have caused.’

The town council can be contacted at [email protected]