Vandals sought after Christmas trail damaged

A Christmas trail in Torbay has been vandalised in an act of "mindless behaviour", a council leader has said.

Torbay Council said a "small number of people" had damaged Christmas lights at the Bay of Lights Illuminations - a 1.5 mile (2.4km) trail in Torquay.

It said its anti-social behaviour team was working with Devon and Cornwall Police and other partners to look at CCTV and identify those responsible.

Councillor David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, told the BBC: "We've put this show on really for our residents, for the tourists and visitors and as they say, the show must go on."

He added: "Our CCTV is focussing on that area [where the Christmas display is] because really as a council, as a community, we're not going to tolerate this mindless behaviour."

The trail launched on Friday and the council said it was a "fantastic and busy opening weekend".

The authority said contractors would repair the damage.

It added: “We are introducing more proactive measures along the trail to prevent any further damage.

"We would encourage anyone who witnesses damage to any of the installations to report it immediately to the police."

Future Technical Solutions, the firm behind the display, said on social media that vandals had climbed Christmas trees, a comet, a present and "pulled up flowers", while also causing an "issue with Holly Octopus".

It added: "We as a team are overwhelmed with the support we are receiving from you and the decent general public.

"This has brought a smile back on our faces after feeling totally disheartened."

The trail is due to be lit up daily from 16:30 GMT until 2 January.

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