Vandals put village in the dark

Disappointed . . . Councillor Barbara Beeley shows the severed cables on the lights in Springhead centre

AN annoyed community champion has poured scorn on cold-hearted vandals who left a village in darkness after wrecking Christmas tree lights.

The brand new lights adorned the tree in the centre of Springhead and were launched with a ceremonial switch-on attended by scores of local families, Santa Claus and a brass band.

But a week later, most of the electric cables connecting each string of lights have been cut plunging the tree and specially-designed show area into darkness.

Councillor Barbara Beeley, community champion for Saddleworth and Lees, said: “Each of the cables has been cut through or deliberately snapped.

“They are beyond repair and will have to be replaced. ”

A set of lights for a tree costs around £600, with another £250 to dress and undress the tree and test all the electrics.

Councillor Beeley added: “The people who did this damage should realise if we have to constantly replace items then we cannot afford to fund other projects.

“For instance, the District Partnership recently voted to fund a ‘Youth Only Zone’ in Uppermill on Friday evenings. The £1,500 we have agreed will mean it can run for 12 weeks.

“If it is a success, the money we are having to use to replace the lights could well have funded the project for another eight weeks. The pot of money is not bottomless.”

Springhead post master Barry Collingwood said: “It’s a real shame.

“All my customers loved the new lights and are upset they have been damaged.”

Said his wife Teresa: “Councillor Beeley has done a grand job for the community.

“It’s terrible the lights have been wrecked.”