ONE of the main festive features in Okehampton's West Street was destroyed in a night-time attack last week.

The Christmas tree complete with lights and securely attached by four ropes to the Jag mobile phone shop, was pulled down and removed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Christmas lights are put up and maintained by Okehampton Chamber of Trade. Damage to the tree and lights is estimated at about £100.

One spokesman for the chamber said: 'It's not a vast amount of money, it's more the time that's been spent putting these things up. They went through all the storms we had and then with one act they were gone — it's not the sort of season these things should happen.'

He said the tree had been recovered, 'wrecked' in Red Lion Yard — a security video of the theft has been handed to Okehampton police.

Another chamber spokesman said he was 'speechless' at the theft.

'It's such a shame, when the Christmas lights in this town give so much pleasure to so many people, then one act of mindless vandalism destroys one of the main features.'

Sergeant Brendan Brookshaw, of Okehampton Police, said a 999 call was made at 11pm on Boxing Day night by someone who reported youths pulling down a Christmas tree in Fore Street.

Sgt Brookshaw said: 'PC Dave Woodland has been in contact with the chamber. It could well have been two separate incidents or the same group of youths involved.'

Anyone with any information should call PC Dave Woodland at Okehampton Police Station, quoting crime number JOOO767.