BRIDGWATER may have the best Christmas lights in the area, but it seems some thoughtless youths have been determined to scupper the festive displays.

A group of youths were spotted using the town’s spectacular Christmas tree outside the Prezzo restaurant on Cornhill for 'target practice' with their football.

The tree has seen hundreds of pounds worth of damage caused, with the baubles and snowflakes decorations on the lower branches ripped off, as well as some of the lights being pulled off and branches snapped.

The lights had been tied down with cable ties and following the incident the tree now appears to be leaning to one side.

Cllr Dave Loveridge said: “I am ashamed of the parents of Bridgwater who are letting this happen and I very much hope the police will take action soon.

“The town council go to a lot of trouble to make the Christmas lights what they are - for these brainless yobs to go and use the tree for football target practice is disgraceful.”