LYME REGIS: Vandals have destroyed the town’s Christmas lights which have cost organisers around £2,000 to replace, it is claimed.

Virgil Turner from the Lyme Christmas Lights Committee said that hundreds of bulbs kept in a locked storage unit behind the Three Cups Hotel, were smashed ‘like glass bombs’ by vandals.

The bulbs have been used for decades to decorate trees in Broad Street which has attracted crowds to watch the official Christmas lights switch-on every year.

Mr Turner described the incident as a ‘heavy blow’ to the organisers of the Broad Street lights, who are now hoping to launch an appeal for financial help from traders across the town.

He added: “The Christmas lights vandalism is really not a laughing matter.

“We’ve had to pay £2,000 for a set of 85 new LED lights because you cannot get the same style of bulb any more.

“Whoever smashed the bulbs, like glass bombs, left them strewn all over the hotel car park.

“Hopefully we can get some fundraising going and would really appreciate any help to make Lyme look great again this Christmas.”

Organisers are also hoping to raise further funds for a new Christmas tree stand and safety hole at The Shambles after last year’s 40-foot tree was blown over in strong winds.